Can correction of the prominent ear (otoplasty) be performed on children who are less than five years of age?

It is best to undertake repair of the prominent ear just before first grade. At that point, the ear has attained roughly 85% of it’s normal adult size, and any growth disturbance from the operation would be negligible, however, there is much advantage to performing the procedure before the badgering starts, allowing the child to undergo normal development without the psychological trauma that typically follows. Performing the procedure any earlier than five years of age may result in unacceptable asymmetry between an unoperated and operated ear, or may make both ears, if both were operated upon smaller than normal.