Otoplasty at a glance
- DurationAbout 1 hour
- AnaesthesiaGeneral or local
- Hospital stayDay surgery
- Social downtime7 to 15 days
- Headband15 days day and night, 15 days at night
- Price€2,500 to €4,000
Otoplasty corrects prominent ears by reshaping their cartilage. It most often involves both ears, sometimes just one, and is performed from the age of 6, when the child wishes it, as well as in adulthood. The operation takes about 1 hour, under general or local anaesthesia, as day surgery at Clinique Oxford in Cannes. The incision is hidden in the crease behind the ear and there are no stitches to remove. A headband is worn for 15 days day and night, then for 15 days at night. Social downtime is 7 to 15 days; the result is final within 15 to 30 days.
Price: €2,500 to €4,000; consultation €100. Covered by French national health insurance (Assurance Maladie) and top-up insurance (mutuelle); you may have some costs left to pay, depending on your mutuelle contract.
Why do ears stick out?
Prominent ears are caused by one or more abnormalities of the cartilage, often combined. Otoplasty corrects each of them.
| Abnormality | What you see | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| Enlarged concha | The concha, too large, pushes the ear forward | Setting back of the concha |
| Unfolded antihelix | The fold of the antihelix is insufficient: the ear looks flat and open | Partial anterior chondrotomy and folding (plication) |
| Helix valgus | The angle between the ear and the skull is too open | Reshaping of the cartilage |
| Lobule valgus | The earlobe sticks out, folded over on itself | Cartilage and skin plasty |
The contours of the ear
In blue-green, the antihelix, which otoplasty recreates when it is missing.
- 1Helix: the rim of the ear
- 2Antihelix: the Y-shaped fold; when it is missing, the ear looks flat and open
- 3Concha: the central hollow; when too large, it pushes the ear forwards
- 4Lobule: sometimes prominent too
From what age?
- In children: from the age of 6, as long as the child expresses the wish to have the operation.
- In adults: at any age. In adult men, the cartilage is less flexible; more reshaping is needed, with reinforcement of the structure of the ear.
Dr Médard de Chardon’s experience
- Qualified plastic surgeon in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, former Chef de Clinique (university hospital senior registrar), Nice Faculty of Medicine; in practice in Cannes since 2011; member of SOFCEP (French Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery), SOFCPRE (French Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery) and ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery).
- More than 500 otoplasties performed.
Before and after photos
Otoplasty – prominent ears
See all before and after photos of otoplasty
What happens during an otoplasty?
- ConsultationWith Dr Médard de Chardon (€100): examination of the ears, analysis of the abnormalities, written quote. For cosmetic surgery, a statutory 15-day cooling-off period applies.
- Anaesthetic consultationBefore the operation.
- OperationAt Clinique Oxford in Cannes, under general or local anaesthesia, in about 1 hour, as day surgery.
- IncisionIn the natural crease behind the ear: from 2 cm to the full length of the groove, depending on the steps needed.
- ReshapingOf the cartilage, to recreate the natural folds of the ear.
- ClosureWithout tension, with a dissolvable running intradermal suture: no stitches to remove.
- Follow-upCheck-up consultations at day 10, 1 month and 3 months.
Before: the ears stand out from the head; the angle with the skull is too open.
What is the recovery like?
- Moderate pain, relieved by painkillers.
- Bruising common for about 7 days.
- Moderate swelling, which hides the folds of the ear for the first few days.
- Compression headband: 15 days day and night, then 15 days at night only.
- Social downtime, school, work and sport: 7 to 15 days.
- Result visible immediately, final within 15 to 30 days, once the swelling has gone.
Where will you be?
14 days after the procedure
What are the risks?
Like any surgery, otoplasty carries risks, which are rare and explained at the consultation:
- haematoma, to be reported without delay if there is unusual pain under the headband;
- infection, particularly of the cartilage (chondritis);
- thick or keloid scar behind the ear;
- asymmetry, irregular folds, or partial recurrence of the prominence;
- sensitivity of the ear to cold, temporary.
Choosing a qualified, experienced and reputable surgeon reduces these risks, and can even eliminate some of them.
Is otoplasty reimbursed?
€2,500 to €4,000
Otoplasty is most often reconstructive surgery. It can be covered by the Assurance Maladie; you may have some costs left to pay, depending on your mutuelle contract. The details are explained at the consultation. The price of the operation ranges from €2,500 to €4,000; the preliminary consultation costs €100.
Book an appointment: +33 (0)4 93 68 86 68 or Doctolib.
Frequently asked questions about otoplasty
At what age can prominent ears be operated on?
From the age of 6, when the child expresses the wish to have it done. The operation is also possible in adulthood, at any age.
Is the otoplasty scar visible?
No: the incision is placed behind the ear, in its natural crease. It is closed with a dissolvable stitch placed under the skin, and the scar becomes almost invisible.
How long must the headband be worn after an otoplasty?
15 days day and night, then 15 days at night only. The headband holds the ears in their new position and protects them while they heal.
Is otoplasty painful?
Pain is moderate and relieved by painkillers. Bruising is common for about 7 days.
When is the result of an otoplasty final?
The result is visible from the operation. It is final within 15 to 30 days, once the swelling has gone.
Can just one ear be operated on?
Yes. Otoplasty most often involves both ears, but it can correct just one.
Is otoplasty reimbursed?
It can be covered by the Assurance Maladie and the mutuelle. You may have some costs left to pay depending on your mutuelle contract; the details are explained at the consultation.
How much does an otoplasty cost in Cannes?
The preliminary consultation costs €100. The price of the operation ranges from €2,500 to €4,000, an amount covered partly or fully by the mutuelle depending on the contract.