Ear surgery, technically known as otoplasty, is a surgical procedure done to set prominent ears closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. Ear surgery can also replace ears lost due to injury or correct ear problems such as awkward folding, unusual smallness or absence of natural folds and curves. Surgery can also improve large or stretched earlobes or lobes with large creases and wrinkles.

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For the most part, the operation is performed on children between the ages of 4 and 14. Ears are almost fully grown by age 4, and the earlier the surgery, the less teasing and ridicule the child will have to endure. Ear surgery on adults is also possible, and there are generally no additional risks associated with ear surgery on an older patient.