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Videoconsultations are conducted via our dedicated virtual clinic to maximise patient and staff safety. We require that all patients provide a referral prior to booking an appointment. We are currently booking routine, non-urgent new patient appointments many months ahead, and as such we recommend that patients with suspicious skin lesions (not biopsy proven skin cancers) seek biopsy and/or treatment from a provider with a shorter waiting list. Dr Tomlinson does not offer cosmetic surgery services or consultations and surgical services where a Medicare Rebatable Item Code does not apply; this includes adult otoplasty, injections for palmar hyperhidrosis and labiaplasty. Dr Tomlinson has scheduled sabbatical leave during much of October, November and December 2023 so will not be available for urgent or emergency referrals during that time. 

***EAR MOLDING SERVICES: DUE TO STAFF LEAVE WE WILL NOT BE OFFERING INFANT EAR MOLDING
SERVICES UNTIL OCTOBER 2023***

Prominent ear correction

Written by Dr Jill Tomlinson on .

mansearProminent ears (sometimes called "bat ears") are a common cause of concern or embarrassment for people who possess them, sometimes to the surprise of their friends and colleagues. Children and adolescents with prominent ears are frequently teased and bullied, and not everyone is able to hide their ears under long hair. These are some of the common reasons people seek otoplasty surgery to "pin back" the ears.

Please note that Dr Jill Tomlinson does not offer ear pinning surgery or otoplasty to adults, as the Medicare Benefits Schedule only lists this procedure for individuals under the age of 18. Therefore, ear pinning surgery is considered cosmetic surgery in adults. As cosmetic surgery is not a major component of Dr Tomlinson's surgical practice she has chosen to cease offering cosmetic (non MBS rebatable) procedures and consultations, and to cease taking out cosmetic medical indemnity insurance from 1 July 2023. Dr Tomlinson's office are no longer accepting referrals for adult otoplasty surgery.

Surgical options

Otoplasty is an operation that is individualised to each person and each ear - no two ears are identical! The surgery is performed as day case surgery in a hospital operating theatre. Children and adolescents require a general anaesthetic for the procedure.

The exact nature of the surgery is individualised to your ears and so it varies for each patient. The surgery is performed is through incisions that are placed behind your ears. The ear cartilage is shaped and modified, and stitches are placed in the ear cartilage to hold the reshaped cartilage in a new position. Because the incisions are placed behind your ears scars are generally not visible or troublesome after otoplasty.

In the first week after surgery we recommend that children and adolescents do not attend school. During this time it is common to have discomfort which can be minimised by taking simple pain killers. If you are used to sleeping on one side of your head it can be difficult to get comfortable and you may have some difficulty sleeping. There may be restrictions on bathing and swimming until your first dressing change, depending on the exact nature of your surgery and thus the type of dressings applied. It is common to have bruising and swelling of your ears for 2 weeks. We recommend that children do not wear swimming goggles for six weeks after surgery as the goggles may pull the ears forwards or down.

Non surgical options

There are few good non-surgical options for prominent ears. In newborn babies it is possible to mould the ear with headbands, but this has limited application for most individuals. The other non-surgical options are to hide your ears (not easy!) or to accept your ears (which can be easier said than done).

What can go wrong (complications)?

EarThe complications of otoplasty include bleeding, infection, failure to correct the position of your ear (so that it still sticks out), overcorrection of the position of your ear (so that it is pinned back to far), scarring and asymmetrical positioning of your ears (meaning that your ears don't look even when people look at your face and compare one side to the other - but please note that most people do not have completely symmetrical ears).

A haematoma ("hee-mah-toe-ma") is a concern after ear surgery. If it is to occur it will generally happen in the first 24-48 hours. A haematoma means that there is internal bleeding at the site of surgery and the blood collects between the skin and the ear cartilage. If a haematoma occurs you need to see your surgeon urgently because haematomas can result in deformities of the ear ("cauliflower ear"). Your surgeon will discuss with you how to prevent and recognise this problem. You should avoid taking aspirin for one week before otoplasty surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding.

Rarely an ear can lose its new position in the days or weeks after surgery. This happens when one or more of the stitches that are placed to shape the ear cartilage breaks or pulls out. This is why we prefer you to restrict your usual activities immediately after surgery, so that there is no pulling or tugging on your ears, and so that the natural healing process can occur free from unexpected trauma.

When can I get back to exercising?

I recommend taking at least 2 weeks away from vigorous exercising. You can resume other activities after 48 hours. In the first 48 hours I recommend avoiding vigorous exercise as any activity that increases the blood flow to your ears can increase the amount of bruising and swelling that you develop.

What are the costs of otoplasty surgery?

Otoplasty surgery has a number of components to the cost, namely:

  • the surgeon's fee
  • the anaesthetist's fee
  • the hospital or day surgery fee
  • the cost of your post surgical appointments for one year

A Medicare and/or private health insurance rebate applies to otoplasty surgery in individuals who are under 18 years of age. Dr Tomlinson does not offer this surgery to adults as she does not perform cosmetic surgery. Dr Tomlinson will discuss this with you at your appointment. To find out what excess (if any) you will need to pay for your hospital admission please contact your health insurance company and quote the Medicare item number 45659. Once you have selected your surgery date we will ask your anaesthetist to provide you with details of their fee.

More information

For more information about otoplasty please contact us to arrange a consultation.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.
Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Website Disclaimer

This website is authored by Dr Jillian Tomlinson, a fully qualified plastic, reconstructive and hand surgeon who practices in Melbourne, Australia. This website aims to inform patients and health professionals about hand surgery, illness prevention and the practice philosophy of Dr Jill Tomlinson. This website's content is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own doctor. The information is not intended to replace the advice of a health professional. This website does not host or receive funding from advertising or from the display of commercial content.