The ear discomfort that you currently experience is probably due to inability to equalize the pressure differential between the cabin pressure and the space behind your eardrum. After otoplasty procedure, there will be some discomfort of the external ear, or auricle, but an airplane flight should not cause an increase in ear pain. I ask my patients not to travel after surgery for at least a week. By then, most of the postoperative pain will be greatly diminished.

Posted by William E. O'Mara Jr., M.D.