Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is performed to set prominent ears back closer to the head, reduce the size of large ears or correct deformities such as "lop ears."

With one of the more common techniques, the surgeon makes a small incision behind the ear in the natural crease, where the ear margin joins the side of the head. He will then sculpt and refine the cartilaginous structure and bend it back toward the head. Non-removable stitches may be used to help maintain the new shape. Occasionally, the surgeon will remove additional cartilage to provide a more natural-looking fold when the surgery is complete.

In some cases skin is removed and stitches are used to fold the cartilage back on itself to reshape the ear without necessitation removing cartilage. In most cases, ear surgery will leave a faint scar in the back of the ear that will fade with time. Even when only one ear appears to protrude, surgery may be performed on both ears for a better balance.

This surgery can be performed on children once they have reached an age when their ears are no longer growing, about age five. Ear surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure at a hospital under general or local/IV sedation. Following surgery, a pressure bandage typically stays in place for 5 - 7 days. It is important to avoid strenuous physical activities, particularly contact sports for six weeks following surgery.