Anyone over 6 whose ears protrude excessively from the side of the head. This anomaly usually occurs together with an irregular shape of the ear (such as the lack of the physiological folds of the auricle or other anomalies).
Anyone whose auricles and/or lobes are not symmetric or show other flaws.
The choices of which procedure to undergo and which technique to use will be discussed with the surgeon during the first visit in order to clarify every possible doubt.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCEDURE

This procedure can be performed in ambulatory care facilities under local anaesthesia or in extended care facilities under conscious sedation or general anaesthesia.
Almost all the different surgical techniques used to fix this flaw are performed by making an incision in the back of the ear, which is the only spot that will be sutured. Small amounts of skin and cartilage might be removed during the procedure.

POST-OPERATIVE PHASE AND CONVALESCENCE

At the end of the procedure a bandage is usually applied for at least 24-48 hours.
The stitches are usually removed after 14 days.
This procedure does NOT require overnight hospitalization, unless the patient asks for it or the surgeon finds it necessary.
During the first post-operative days the ears may look edematose (swollen) and ecchymotic (bruised), and this condition will end in the space of 7-20 days, depending on the patient's predisposition. During this time it is strictly recommended to wear a headband like the ones used by tennis players while sleeping.
The patient usually feels no or very little post-operative pain, which can be easily managed with painkillers. During the first 7-15 days after the procedure the patient has to take antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, or even other types of drugs if the surgeon or the anaesthetist find it necessary.
Intense physical activities and exercises must be suspended for about 1 month.

RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS

Just as after every surgical procedure some bleeding might occur. If it doesn't stop spontaneously or after the first wound dressing performed by the medical staff, it is necessary to take the patient back into the operating room and stop the haemorrhage. This might sound scary and annoying, but it has to be done in order to avoid permanent hematomas, and has no effects on a correctly performed surgery whatsoever.
Since cartilage is a material that has shape memory properties, it may happen in some rare cases that even after the procedure the ear tends to get back to its old shape, making it necessary to undergo another small reshaping procedure after at least 6 months from the first one (especially when the ears "protrude" a lot) . If the chosen technique is performed correctly, it gives very satisfactory aesthetic results.
If the procedure is performed in a safe environment (Hospital operating rooms, Clinics and accredited Extended Care Facilities) and by qualified physicians (surgeon, assistant surgeon, surgical technologist, anaesthetist and operating room staff) there is no risk of major complications, as long as the patient follows thoroughly all the post-operative instructions given by the medical staff.

COSTS

Considering the wide range of prices asked by the different Extended Care Facilities (and the huge importance of performing the procedure in safe facilities), the fees for the anaesthetists and for the surgical and nursing staff, this procedure can cost from 2.000€ up to 4.000€.