Prominent ears and congenital or post traumatic ear deformities are referred to the plastic surgery service for consideration of correction or reconstruction. Of note is that NHS Lothian provides the national ear reconstruction service.
Prominent ears are extremely common and there is often a familial predisposition. There is a short window of opportunity to treat babies with ear deformations including prominent ears, using splints (ear buddies). Such treatment has to be instituted within 3 months of birth to be effective, but the sooner the better. Beyond that age, splints are ineffective.
Older children can be treated surgically when they themselves want to have surgery and are of sufficient maturity to understand the process and comply with the post operative regimen. This is generally beyond the age of 5 years. Operating on younger children at the parent’s request is rarely justified. There is no evidence to support the notion that prophylactic otoplasty reduces the incidence of teasing or emotional upset. The complication rates from operating on younger children are higher.
Who to refer:
Please refer to the Plastic Surgical Team:
- Patients with prominent ears (aged 5 to 16) who have sufficient maturity and understanding to undergo surgical correction and comply with the post-operative regimen.
- Post traumatic ear deformities including ‘cauliflower’ ears.
Please refer to the ear reconstruction service at RHSC (Mr Ken Stewart)
Any patient with Microtia, Atresia or Cryptotia can be referred to the NSD funded ear reconstruction service for consideration of funded service for ear reconstruction and to restore hearing using implants.
To Plastic Surgical Team RHCYP (SN Kerr Clapperton)
- Neonates with ear deformities for splinting <3 months of age
Who not to refer:
Children who are themselves unwilling to undergo surgery and the primary motivation comes from the parents.
How to refer:
By SCI Gateway to Plastic Surgery at RHCYP.
