Question:
My daughter is seven years old and has ears that stick out from her face. She’s always being teased about her ears, and my husband and I are contemplating an ear pinning procedure for her. I heard that the younger someone is, the easier this type of surgery is. Could you please tell me if this is true or not?
Answer:
The procedure you are referring to is called an otoplasty. The procedure is slightly easier in younger patients as the ear cartilage is more pliable. This is not a good reason to push someone into the procedure however as the procedure is only minimally more difficult in adults and equally successful. Seven is certainly old enough to have an otoplasty however, and if your daughter is interested and willing it is certainly a rewarding procedure for both the patient and physician.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham
