Cassandra A. Ligh, MD, FACS, is an expert plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). As a member of the team of CHOP’s Ear Deformities Program, Dr. Ligh has a particular interest in conditions that affect the ear.
Here, Dr. Ligh answers questions that cover the main concerns caregivers have about ear deformities that can affect a child and how to correct them.
Q: At what age can my child’s ear deformity be corrected?
Before 6 weeks of age, ear deformities can often be corrected using a non-invasive technique called ear molding. Your baby wears an ear mold that reshapes the ear’s cartilage.
After 6 weeks of age, surgery is needed to correct the form or shape of an ear. We usually wait until your child is at least 5 years old to perform surgery. In general, the child must be old enough/mature enough to follow the care instructions for bandages and restrictions on their activity.
Q: How do I talk to my child — and others — about ear deformities?
Your child might be self-conscious about their ear deformity. Our Psychosocial Support Services team includes a pediatric psychologist who can help your child and your family navigate these challenges and learn how to talk about the deformity in social situations. This support is an important element of the care we provide.
Q: What types of surgical procedures are available for my child’s specific ear deformity?
It depends on the type and severity of the ear deformity. For example, when a child has prominent or protruding ears, we perform ear pinning surgery (called “otoplasty”). If your child needs a portion of the ear to be moved or shifted, we perform a partial reconstruction, depending on how much of the ear needs to be moved.
At CHOP, our team strongly believes that each child’s deformity is unique, and therefore the procedure we perform will depend on the specific needs of the child. We will talk with your family and give you recommendations and education, no matter your child’s age, so you understand all the options.
Q: How many surgeries will be needed?
Typically, ear deformities require only one surgery. Of course, there may be unique or complex cases where two surgeries would result in a better outcome.
Q: What will my child’s ear look like after surgery?
In all children, no two ears are exactly alike. We like to say that ears are like siblings, not twins. When we perform surgery, our goal is to make the ear with the deformity appear more natural looking and more balanced, but it will never be an exact match of the other ear.
Q: What are the risks and possible complications?
The risks and potential complications differ slightly depending on the surgical option. In general, possible complications include:
- Infection, bleeding or scarring
- The ear’s framework becoming visible
- Asymmetry (ears not looking exactly the same), which can involve skin pigment or the size/shape of ears
- Need for follow-up surgery
- Pain, usually managed with medication
Depending on your child’s age, some risks may be different. For example, in ear pinning, the older the child is, the firmer the cartilage can be, which can increase the risk of the prominent ears recurring.
Q: Will the surgery affect my child’s hearing?
Surgery to correct ear deformities only changes the outside shape of the ear. It does not affect hearing.
Q: What is the recovery process like?
Recovery is a little different for each procedure, but in general:
- Your child will wear a bandage for about 2 weeks after surgery.
- We’ll see your child back at CHOP to check on the incisions and healing.
- Most kids stay home from school for 1-2 weeks, depending on the age of the child.
- Limits on physical activity depend on the procedure and can vary from 6 to 12 weeks after surgery.
- Pain is usually managed with Tylenol or similar medicine, though stronger medicine may be needed right after surgery.
Q: Does my child need to see other specialists?
Typically, no. Ear deformities are usually not associated with other conditions or with differences in other parts of the body.
Q: How much experience does CHOP have with correcting ear deformities in older children?
Our team sees many children with ear deformities, and we see children of all ages and ear conditions. During your family’s visit with our team, we will usually be able to show you photos of children’s ears we have corrected that match your child’s condition (we don’t post these photos on our website based on patient privacy). We have a great deal of experience in correcting all types of ear deformities.
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Cassandra A. Ligh, MD, FACS, is an expert plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). As a member of the team of CHOP’s Ear Deformities Program, Dr. Ligh has a particular interest in conditions that affect the ear.
Here, Dr. Ligh answers questions that cover the main concerns caregivers have about ear deformities that can affect a child and how to correct them.
Q: At what age can my child’s ear deformity be corrected?
Before 6 weeks of age, ear deformities can often be corrected using a non-invasive technique called ear molding. Your baby wears an ear mold that reshapes the ear’s cartilage.
After 6 weeks of age, surgery is needed to correct the form or shape of an ear. We usually wait until your child is at least 5 years old to perform surgery. In general, the child must be old enough/mature enough to follow the care instructions for bandages and restrictions on their activity.
Q: How do I talk to my child — and others — about ear deformities?
Your child might be self-conscious about their ear deformity. Our Psychosocial Support Services team includes a pediatric psychologist who can help your child and your family navigate these challenges and learn how to talk about the deformity in social situations. This support is an important element of the care we provide.
Q: What types of surgical procedures are available for my child’s specific ear deformity?
It depends on the type and severity of the ear deformity. For example, when a child has prominent or protruding ears, we perform ear pinning surgery (called “otoplasty”). If your child needs a portion of the ear to be moved or shifted, we perform a partial reconstruction, depending on how much of the ear needs to be moved.
At CHOP, our team strongly believes that each child’s deformity is unique, and therefore the procedure we perform will depend on the specific needs of the child. We will talk with your family and give you recommendations and education, no matter your child’s age, so you understand all the options.
Q: How many surgeries will be needed?
Typically, ear deformities require only one surgery. Of course, there may be unique or complex cases where two surgeries would result in a better outcome.
Q: What will my child’s ear look like after surgery?
In all children, no two ears are exactly alike. We like to say that ears are like siblings, not twins. When we perform surgery, our goal is to make the ear with the deformity appear more natural looking and more balanced, but it will never be an exact match of the other ear.
Q: What are the risks and possible complications?
The risks and potential complications differ slightly depending on the surgical option. In general, possible complications include:
- Infection, bleeding or scarring
- The ear’s framework becoming visible
- Asymmetry (ears not looking exactly the same), which can involve skin pigment or the size/shape of ears
- Need for follow-up surgery
- Pain, usually managed with medication
Depending on your child’s age, some risks may be different. For example, in ear pinning, the older the child is, the firmer the cartilage can be, which can increase the risk of the prominent ears recurring.
Q: Will the surgery affect my child’s hearing?
Surgery to correct ear deformities only changes the outside shape of the ear. It does not affect hearing.
Q: What is the recovery process like?
Recovery is a little different for each procedure, but in general:
- Your child will wear a bandage for about 2 weeks after surgery.
- We’ll see your child back at CHOP to check on the incisions and healing.
- Most kids stay home from school for 1-2 weeks, depending on the age of the child.
- Limits on physical activity depend on the procedure and can vary from 6 to 12 weeks after surgery.
- Pain is usually managed with Tylenol or similar medicine, though stronger medicine may be needed right after surgery.
Q: Does my child need to see other specialists?
Typically, no. Ear deformities are usually not associated with other conditions or with differences in other parts of the body.
Q: How much experience does CHOP have with correcting ear deformities in older children?
Our team sees many children with ear deformities, and we see children of all ages and ear conditions. During your family’s visit with our team, we will usually be able to show you photos of children’s ears we have corrected that match your child’s condition (we don’t post these photos on our website based on patient privacy). We have a great deal of experience in correcting all types of ear deformities.
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