Prominent ear,
otapostasis or
bat ear is an abnormally protruding human
ear. It may be unilateral or bilateral. The concha is large with poorly developed
antihelix and
scapha. It is the result of malformation of cartilage during primitive ear development in intrauterine life. The deformity can be corrected anytime after 6 years. The surgery is preferably done at the earliest in order to avoid psychological distress. Correction by
otoplasty involves changing the shape of the ear
cartilage so that the ear is brought closer to the side of the head. The skin is not removed, but the shape of the cartilage is altered. The surgery does not affect hearing. It is done for cosmetic purposes only. The complications of the surgery, though rare, are
keloid formation,
hematoma formation, infection and asymmetry between the ears.