Meatoplasty of ear canal

EAR CANAL SURGERY


For when your ear canal is narrowed or blocked.

Enquiries & Appointments

What is a meatoplasty?

Meatoplasty is a procedure carried out to widen your ear canals. Patients may have ear problems due to a build up of wax and/or debris. To prevent this, part of the soft tissue in this area is either removed or rearranged.

Your HCA UK Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist can carry out this treatment for you.

Need to know

A meatoplasty is normally carried out under general anaesthetic. Once you're asleep, your surgeon will make small incisions in your ear canal, before removing or rearranging soft tissue from the meatus part of your ear, widening your ear canal in the process.

At the end of the procedure, your surgeon will stitch the incisions and apply a bandage to your ear. The surgery can take between one and three hours.

Prior to the procedure, you'll need to provide your consultant with a full list of medication you are taking. They may ask you to stop taking some or all of these in the days leading up meatoplasty surgery. Tests you may undergo beforehand might include:

  • X-ray to assess bone and ear structure
  • Blood tests
  • ECG to check your heart structure and function

As the procedure is carried out under general anaesthetic, you may be advised not to eat or drink anything on the day.

Immediately after surgery, you'll be taken to a recovery room where you will wake up. Here, you will have your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels measured. You will have a bandage and other protective material around the ear you had surgery on. As a result you may experience slight hearing problems for a few days after, as well as some dizziness.

When you are ready to leave hospital, please ensure you have arranged for somebody to drive you home. Your consultant will advise you on when you can get back to your normal routine, including work and exercise. They will also discuss a follow-up appointment with you.

Meatoplasty of ear canal Consultants

Mr Anthony Aymat

Mr Anthony Aymat

Ear Nose & Throat Surgery (ENT/Otolaryngology)

Professor Simon Lloyd

Professor Simon Lloyd

Ear Nose & Throat Surgery (ENT/Otolaryngology)

Professor Ahmed Allam

Professor Ahmed Allam

Ear Nose & Throat Surgery (ENT/Otolaryngology)

Mr Robert Nash

Mr Robert Nash

Ear Nose & Throat Surgery (ENT/Otolaryngology)

Our Meatoplasty of ear canal locations

The Harley Street Clinic

The Harley Street Clinic

35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Portland Hospital

The Portland Hospital

205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Princess Grace Hospital

The Princess Grace Hospital

42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients

The Shard Outpatients

The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
London Bridge Hospital

London Bridge Hospital

27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Wellington Hospital

The Wellington Hospital

8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London

Patient stories

This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.