Born With "Flat Tipped' Ears, Can Otoplasty Fix The Helix? (photo)

Otoplasty is not a procedure performed to fix the helix, it is a procedure performed to give more of an anti-helical fold.  The reason that the ears stick out from the side of the head is due to the lack of anti-helical folds.  The otoplasty procedure recreates the anti-helical fold and resets the entire ear backward against the head with natural appearance.

Thank you for the question and pictures.

I think the major issue involving your ears is the lack of a anti-helical fold. Reconstruction of this fold will set the ears back slightly and create the impression of a smaller ear  as well. This is done through an incision behind the ear,  using permanent sutures to create the anti-helical fold, with no visible scarring.

I do not think you need any surgery on the helix itself;  I would certainly not suggest that you have any procedure that would result in visible scarring.

Otoplasty surgery carries risks of recurrence of the prominence,  recurrence of the “flat” appearance of the ears, potential palpability of sutures, ear  asymmetry,  numbness  and the potential need for further surgery (as well as the other general risks associated with surgery).

Make sure you are working with a well experienced board-certified plastic surgeon.  See lots of examples of his/her work.

Best wishes