Otoplasty Surgery Day: What to Expect Hour by Hour

The morning before arrival

Surgery is typically scheduled for late morning (10–11am) to allow patients an unrushed morning. Strict pre-operative fasting applies: no food after midnight, no clear fluids in the 2 hours before surgery. A light dinner the night before (avoiding heavy spicy or fatty meals) is recommended. Take prescribed regular medications (e.g., blood pressure) with a small sip of water unless specifically advised otherwise.

Wear comfortable, loose, button-front clothing that does not need to be pulled over the head. Remove all jewellery, including earrings. Bring a phone, charger, photo ID, payment confirmation (if balance is due), and the post-operative companion who will accompany you back to the hotel.

Arrival at the clinic

Arrive 60–90 minutes before scheduled surgery time. Reception confirms identity, completes any outstanding paperwork, processes the balance payment if not done in advance, and shows you to the pre-operative area. A nurse takes baseline observations: blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, weight, and confirms fasting status.

You change into a surgical gown. Personal belongings are stored in a locker. A peripheral intravenous cannula is placed in the back of the hand or forearm — this is used for fluids and any sedation medication during the procedure.

Pre-operative consultation and marking

Dr. Erdal arrives for the pre-operative consultation, typically 30–45 minutes before surgery. The session covers final review of the surgical plan, opportunity for last-minute questions, and confirmation of consent. Pre-operative photographs are taken from front, both sides, and behind for medical records.

Surgical marking follows — using a fine surgical marker, Dr. Erdal draws the planned suture placement points and any cartilage scoring lines on the back of each ear. Marking takes 10–20 minutes and is a critical step. The markings reflect the patient's specific anatomy and are not transferable between patients.

Anaesthesia

For adult patients, the standard anaesthesia is local anaesthesia with intravenous sedation. The anaesthetist administers a sedative (typically midazolam plus a small dose of propofol or remifentanil) to produce comfortable drowsiness. Dr. Erdal then injects local anaesthetic (typically lidocaine with adrenaline) around both ears. The local anaesthetic provides the actual numbness; sedation provides comfort and relaxation.

For paediatric patients under 12, general anaesthesia is preferred for safety and patient cooperation reasons. Children are anaesthetised by an anaesthetist using inhaled anaesthesia (sevoflurane) followed by intravenous maintenance. Paediatric general anaesthesia for otoplasty is short (90–120 minutes total) and recovery is generally smooth.

The procedure itself

Once anaesthesia is established, surgery proceeds in five stages:

1. Skin incision behind each ear, in the natural crease where the ear meets the head (approximately 5–7 cm long).
2. Cartilage exposure by careful dissection between the skin and the auricular cartilage.
3. Cartilage reshaping using the technique appropriate to the patient — Mustardé sutures for antihelical fold creation, Furnas sutures for conchal setback, scoring or other techniques as indicated.
4. Verification — both ears are checked for symmetry, ideal angles, and natural contour. Adjustments are made if needed.
5. Skin closure with absorbable sutures (no removal needed), followed by application of the protective dressing.

Total procedure time is 1.5–2 hours. The patient is awake but very relaxed throughout under sedation, with no memory of the surgery itself in most cases.

Recovery room

After surgery, patients spend 2–4 hours in a private recovery room with nurse monitoring. Vital signs are checked every 15–30 minutes. Light snacks and fluids are offered once nausea (if any) settles. Post-operative photographs are taken before discharge to document the immediate result with the dressing in place.

Discharge criteria include: stable observations, pain controlled with oral analgesics, ability to walk steadily, and presence of an adult companion. Most patients are ready for discharge by mid-afternoon for morning surgery, or early evening for afternoon surgery.

Discharge and the first night

The discharge package includes written aftercare instructions, oral analgesics, antibiotics, the post-operative photograph for the patient's records, a follow-up schedule for the next 7 days, and direct WhatsApp contact for any concerns. The companion takes the patient back to the hotel by taxi or pre-arranged transfer.

The first night is typically uncomfortable but manageable. Sleep upright at 45 degrees on stacked pillows. Take analgesics as scheduled rather than waiting for pain. Light dinner of soup, soft bread, or simple meals is appropriate. Most patients sleep reasonably well with intermittent waking due to the dressing pressure.