If the condition is diagnosed in the first few weeks after birth, your baby can undergo a non-surgical treatment called ear molding, in which a plastic splint can be placed under the helix, or outer rim, of the ear. This procedure can improve the shape of the ear while cartilage is still flexible.
If the condition is severe or not diagnosed until after your child is older and the ear is less flexible, surgery is an option. At this stage, treatment depends on the severity of the malformation and whether one ear or both ears are affected. One type of reconstruction surgery reshapes existing ear cartilage, and it could involve using cartilage from the ribs. If your child’s ears protrude from the side of their head, another type of surgery uses otoplasty techniques such as incision, scoring, and suturing to correct the malformation.
