Otoplasty – among the positive outcomes is the prevention of bullying

Congenital ear deformities are those that appear at birth and can be relatively common. Small details or asymmetries, and of course there are different degrees, can even go unnoticed.

There are cases where the baby is born without an ear (anotia), which is extremely rare, or with only vestiges of an ear in different degrees, called microtia.

One of the most common alterations is prominent ear (also known as bat ear or Dumbo ear), where there is a greater distance of the ear from the head, as well as a flattening of the antihelix shape (the internal fold of the ear that has a Y shape).

There are other less frequent types of deformities resulting from partial or insufficient development such as: constricted ear, where it is folded and closed (in a shell-like shape), and cryptotia, where the ear is hidden under the skin.

It is important for parents to investigate, as ear deformities can be related to diseases and syndromes, and even hearing impairment.

Simply the way the child is positioned in the womb (during gestation) and during childbirth can be the cause of some deformities, but it is not uncommon for the baby to be born all crumpled and the ear gradually adjusting.

In the first days and weeks of life, mainly due to the influence of maternal hormones, the cartilage is still malleable, which allows for some conservative treatments. It is possible to make molds using cotton and adhesive tape (e.g., micropore) that can help in ear molding. There is also a ready-made silicone mold for this purpose.

The ear completes its development around seven years of age, which allows for early surgery for significant small alterations like prominent ear. Some prefer to perform otoplasty around five years of age, before school age, to avoid social embarrassment due to bullying.

More significant deformities may require multiple surgical stages for complete ear reconstruction. In all proposed surgical treatments, it is important to bring the child to participate and interact in the decisions. Their participation in this phase can be fundamental for a good postoperative recovery.

*Dr. Fernando Amato is a plastic surgeon, a full member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP), a member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).