Otoplasty for children

Dr. Merck’s stitch method is extremely well-suited for children: it is gentle, safe, quick, and uncomplicated. It is best to have this operation done before the child enters school, so that he/she will not be teased about his/her ears by schoolmates. The operation can, however, also be performed on older children. For children 11 years of age and younger, the operation is performed under general anaesthesia. For children 12 and older, the operation can be performed with local anaesthesia.

Unlike our adult patients, for whom no bandage is necessary, our younger patients receive a bandage to wear for one day. We have observed that when young children awaken from the anaesthesia, they have a tendency to tug on their ears with their hands, which are not always clean.