Can you have Otoplasty safely under local anesthesia?

Question

Hi, I am 26 years old and I have been wanting to fix my ears for a long time. My problem isn't that my ears stick out, it is that I need an Antihelical Fold to be created. I have spoken to a Dr who does perform this under local anaesthetic as well as general. My preference is local anaesthetic so my question is can the Dr do a good job under local anaesthetic? Would I feel anything? How painful is the recovery? Are there any complications that might occur? and how long is healing time?

Leo Kim, FRACS(Plast), MS(Plast), MBBS(Hons) · Answer

The short answer is yes you can have this done under local anaesthesia. If you have private health insurance and the insurance company will cover you for the theater fee and the anaesthetist, I often recommend you have this done in an accredited operating theater environment and whilst you don't go to sleep (no general anaesthesia), I get my anaesthetist to give you some sedation, often called "twilight" anaesthetic so that you don't remember the needle going in. It wears off very quickly and you come to, but most people sleep not because we put you to sleep but because you're comfortable but very can come to if needed. You should feel things being done but absolutely no pain whatsoever during the surgery.
The discomfort from surgery peaks in the first 24-48 hours then it should get better, most people manage their pain easily with oral pain killers. Complications apart from standard infection, bleeding and poor scar is risk of the ear popping out again (this depends on the technique used) and very rarely infection of the cartilage. The recovery once the wound is healed is 1-2 weeks but please defer contact sport for at least 8 weeks.
Wishing you the best in your journey,
Dr Leo Kim
Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Sydney

Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS · Answer

I always perform otoplasty procedures under either general anesthesia or IV sedation. There are a lot of tedious details to pay attention to during an otoplasty procedure. In addition, you would need to stay still and tolerate having your head moved back and forth as symmetry is confirmed.  I have heard of surgeons who perform this procedure under local, however, the vast majority are performed under general or IV sedation. Perhaps speaking to other patients who had this procedure performed under local by your surgeon would be helpful.  Often patients are willing to share their experiences with other patients. Ask your surgeon if he/she has any recommendations. Good luck!

Shitel Patel, MD · Answer

Otoplasty is safe under local anesthesia. The local is like a bee sting and then you will feel pressure but not pain during the procedure. You may feel pulling and tugging. Most pain after surgery decreases after 24-48 hours. The entire recover from surgery may take 2-3 weeks. For extremely anxious patients I would recommend general anesthesia.
Complications: Bleeding, hematoma, infection, scar, possible need for revision, possible recurrence of initial deformity

Susan Buenaventura, MD, FACS · Answer

Creating a helical fold still falls under the surgery "otoplasty".  It is important to evaluate all of the individual components of the otoplasty (helical fold, conchal bowl, earlobe, size asymmetry) and address the issues properly.  It is possible to do this under local anesthesia with a ring block but I would follow your surgeon's advice on how she/he prefers and can do the best job.   What matters is your results!

Somyos Kunachak, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi Fairyfloss04,
Unfortunately, you did not provide photos which should have been of great help for assessment, but generally, otoplasty can be done under local or general anesthesia with the same outcome, the only difference is, you may feel some slight discomfort with local anesthesia during the injection. Recovery will be the same for either anesthesia technique and risks are the same for all surgeries such as infection, bleeding, asymmetry, etc.

Can you have Otoplasty safely under local anesthesia?

Answers (6)

Answer: Helical fold creation

Answer: Helical fold creation

Answer: Otoplasty under local anesthesia

Answer: Otoplasty under local anesthesia

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Can you have Otoplasty safely under local anesthesia?

Answers (6)

Answer: Helical fold creation

Answer: Helical fold creation

Answer: Otoplasty under local anesthesia

Answer: Otoplasty under local anesthesia

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Ear Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.