Ears that protrude too far to the outside are commonly referred to as “windy ears”. Otoplasty is a procedure to bring the protruding ear closer to the skull. Children’s ears are close to adult size by the age of 4, so the procedure is usually performed between the ages of 4 and 14. Procedure: Younger children require general anesthesia. Older children or adults can have local anesthesia so that they can go home the same day of surgery. Ear surgery takes 2-3 hours, with more complex procedures taking longer. The most common method is to make a small incision at the back of the ear to expose the cartilage, cut the cartilage appropriately and bend it backwards, then use sutures to maintain the new shape of the cartilage. In cases of overly large ears or where cartilage shaping is difficult, some cartilage may have to be removed to give the ear a more natural profile. Unilateral ear surgery can be performed on one side only; however, sometimes it may be necessary to do both ears at the same time in order to make the shape consistent on both sides. Complications: When performed by a properly trained surgeon, complications are usually rare or mild. Sometimes the ear will develop a hematoma after surgery; this will need to be aspirated with a needle or left to absorb on its own. Occasionally, the cartilage in the ear can become infected and can lead to scar formation; infection is usually controlled with antibiotics and sometimes requires surgical drainage. If the wound heals poorly, the ear infection may recur. Postoperative management: The sutures are removed in about a week. You can return to school or start work 5-7 days after surgery. A scar will remain behind the ear for a few weeks after surgery and it will gradually degenerate over time. The affected ear is bandaged after surgery to prevent hematoma formation and to facilitate ear contouring. The sutures are usually removed in about a week. Activities that may bend the ear should be avoided for several months after surgery.