Welcome!
Ear surgery restores natural proportion and contour. Whether repairing damaged or stretched earlobes, or correcting prominent ears, the emphasis is on results that look balanced rather than operated-on.
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​My Approach
Every ear has its own anatomy. The goal is to restore natural proportion and correct structural concerns, not to create a uniform or idealised appearance that ignores individual features.
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I approach each case with an anatomy-first mindset. Differences in cartilage strength, skin elasticity, and the degree of deformity all guide the surgical plan. The aim is a result that is quietly natural, one that complements the face without drawing attention to itself.
Planning & Technique
Depending on your concern and goals, the appropriate procedure will be discussed and planned at consultation.
Earlobe Repair:
Stretched, elongated, or torn earlobes are a common concern, often the result of years of wearing heavy earrings, accidental tearing, or gradual stretching over time.
Standard repairs close the defect but can leave a linear scar that contracts and distorts the lobe over time, and typically require several months before re-piercing is possible.
My preference is a combined technique: an L-plasty to restore the natural aperture, followed by a small Z-plasty inferiorly to redistribute tension and reduce the risk of scar contracture. By reorienting the final scar, this approach produces a more natural earlobe contour as healing matures, and allows the recreated piercing to be used far sooner than a standard linear repair would permit.
Earlobe repair is performed under local anaesthesia as a clinic procedure with minimal downtime.
Otoplasty (Prominent Ear Correction):
Prominent ears, where the ears project noticeably away from the sides of the head, are most commonly due to underdevelopment of the antihelical fold, excess conchal bowl cartilage, or both. Otoplasty reshapes and repositions the ear cartilage to restore a more natural ear-to-head relationship.
Several surgical approaches exist, including anterior and posterior techniques. My preference is a posterior-only approach: access is gained through a dumbbell-shaped skin excision placed behind the ear, positioned carefully to avoid straying too lateral where hypertrophic scarring risk is higher. I do not perform anterior cartilage scoring, a technique used by some surgeons to weaken the cartilage and allow reshaping, as the results are less predictable and can lead to irregular contours over time. Instead, permanent sutures are placed through the posterior approach to recreate the antihelical fold reliably and with long-term stability.
Otoplasty is performed under local anaesthesia in adults, and general anaesthesia in younger patients. It is a day procedure with an otherwise straightforward recovery.
Recovery & Expectations
Earlobe Repair:
Most patients return to normal activity immediately. Sutures are removed around day 5 to 7 and earrings can be worn again. The lobe continues to mature and soften over several weeks.
Otoplasty:A head bandage is worn for the first week to protect the ears during early healing. Mild swelling, bruising, and temporary tenderness are expected and settle progressively. Sutures are removed around day 7 to 10. Most patients return to desk work within a few days, with strenuous activity and contact sports (in kids especially) avoided for 4 to 6 weeks.
What Ear Surgery Can & Cannot Do - Transparent Expectations
Can:
- Restore natural earlobe contour following stretching or tearing
- Allow earlier re-piercing compared to standard repair techniques
- Reduce ear projection and restore a more balanced ear-to-head relationship
Cannot:
- Guarantee perfectly identical ears; complete symmetry is a common misconception, as in everyday life people tend to only observe one ear at a time, and no two ears are ever anatomically the same
- Eliminate all scarring, though incisions are placed carefully to minimise visibility
- Prevent future stretching if heavy earrings are worn again after earlobe repair​
Post-operative care extends beyond routine reviews - it is an integral part of Dr Ng’s surgical philosophy. Through Doctor Stitch, an aftercare service founded to ensure seamless continuity and comfort, every patient is followed up personally by Dr Ng for attentive, discreet, and consistent care throughout the recovery journey.​
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I re-pierce my ear immediately after earlobe repair?
With the technique I use, combining an L-plasty and Z-plasty, re-piercing is possible significantly sooner than with a standard linear repair. The exact timing will be discussed at your follow-up once healing is assessed.
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2. At what age can otoplasty be performed?
Otoplasty is typically recommended once ear growth is complete, usually around age 5 to 6 for children although there is no strict cut-off. This is right before they start primary school, where there is more socialising and they may unfortunately, be subject to teasing and bullying by other children who may not understand the condition. It can be performed at any age in adults. Younger patients are generally treated under general anaesthesia; adults under local anaesthesia.
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3. Are the scars visible after otoplasty?
Incisions are placed behind the ear and positioned to minimise visibility. Scars typically mature to fine, inconspicuous lines over several months.
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4. Is ear surgery covered by insurance or Medisave?
Earlobe repair is generally considered a cosmetic procedure and not Medisave or insurance claimable. Otoplasty may be claimable in selected cases and this will be discussed at consultation.
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Related Reading
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My blog post on one stage ear lobe repair
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References​
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Niamtu J 3rd. Eleven pearls for cosmetic earlobe repair. Dermatol Surg. 2002 Feb;28(2):180-5. doi: 10.1046/j.1524-4725.2002.01052.x. PMID: 11860433.
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Sadasivan K, Kochunarayanan A. A Revised Classification and Treatment Algorithm for Acquired Split Earlobe, With a Description of the Composite Technique and its Outcome. Cureus. 2020 Sep 13;12(9):e10422. doi: 10.7759/cureus.10422. PMID: 33062537; PMCID: PMC7553717.
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Chongchet V. A Method of Antihelix Reconstruction. Br J Plast Surg. 1963 Jul;16:268-72. doi: 10.1016/s0007-1226(63)80120-4. PMID: 14042756.
