The ear is one of the least noticed body parts, except when it protrudes and becomes conspicuous. By their deviation from the normal shape or position, the ears attract unwanted attention of one's social environment. In such cases, it is desirable to give the ears a natural shape and position by surgery, and thus eliminate the source of dissatisfaction with one's own appearance.

Protruding ears are in general genetic malformations, often visible already after the child's birth. One or both ears can protrude, and they can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Among the most common reasons for protruding ears are insufficiently developed auricle folds, or thickened cartilage or auricle skin, which results in a greater angle between the ear and the head. A normal angle between the ear and the head is 15-30 degrees, and the angle of more than 30 degrees is considered to be the starting value for protrusion.

Otoplasty is an aesthetic surgery procedure, which very successfully and permanently solves the problem of protruding ears. There is a large number of different approaches to this procedure, but an experienced surgeon will select the best from each method to adjust the surgery technique to the benefit of each patient. As the ear grows relatively fast, reaching almost 90% of its full size by the age of six, protruding ears can be corrected very early in life. Thus the surgery can already be performed at the pre-school age, to spare the child from teasing in the contact with a new environment when he or she starts going to school. At that age, parents usually send their child to corrective surgery, aware of the possible discomfort if the anomaly is not corrected.

The second most common age at which the surgery is performed is adolescence, the period between the age of 14 and 18. At that age, the adolescents themselves feel the need to change their appearance and express the wish to undergo surgery. Otoplasty is less commonly sought by adults of mature age.

The surgery is performed under local anaesthesia; it lasts for about one hour. The incisions are made behind the ears, and are in general not noticeable. Regular activities may be resumed in 3-5 days after the procedure, in line with the surgeon's instructions. In the first 6-8 weeks, especially after procedures in children, ball games and similar activities, which could lead to injuries, are to be avoided. Early results are already visible 7-14 days after the surgery, and final ones about 3 months later. So, the result of the surgical procedure is permanent and it will make it easier for a child or an adult to achieve emotional balance and establish successful social relationships.