For individuals who have prominent so-called 'bat' ears, cosmetic ear surgery can significantly improve their appearance and enhance their self-confidence. Ear surgery, otherwise known as otoplasty, is performed by Dr. Antoniadis  at his practice in Melbourne, Victoria for children and adults alike. The procedure is extremely reliable and generally requires a recovery period of ten days.

Ear Surgery Candidates
Otoplasty is commonly performed in children around the age of five, prior to starting school. This ensures that these children are not teased at school. If the ear deformity is not corrected prior to starting school it may be performed at any time during the school years, or later in life when the individual is capable of making his/her own decision regarding treatment. The procedure is popular among both men and women. Other candidates for otoplasty include people whose ears have been affected either by birth defects or trauma.

Surgical Technique
The ear surgery procedure takes just one to two hours and is generally performed under sedation in adults, and under general anesthetic in children, and is a day case procedure. Otoplasty can also be performed as an office procedure in adults. The surgery commences with well-hidden incisions behind the ears. Through these incisions, Mr. Maxwell reshapes the cartilage of the ears to position them more naturally, closer to the side of the head. After the incisions are sutured and the ears carefully bandaged, the procedure is complete.

After Ear Surgery
Patients are required to wear the head bandage continuously for the first week after ear surgery to maintain the new position and shape of the ears and to reduce swelling and the risk of post-operative bleeding. When the bandages are removed, the ears are rather swollen and bruised, but this settles quickly over the next ten days. The patient then wears a headband at night for the next two weeks. Patient satisfaction is very high after otoplasty and patients are generally excited to show off their new appearance.