Is Elfin Ear Surgery Safe?
A procedure to make “Elf Ears†has become popular among body modification artists. While they are not prohibited from performing this type of procedure, they are not allowed to use any anesthesia or provide any pain medication for their client. This unusual “cartilage sculpting†continues to gain popularity amongst sci-fi enthusiasts, but it is very risky surgery. The cartilage is cut, re-shaped and sewn back together to make the pointy tip. It has been called cosmetic surgery, but it clearly lies outside the practice of licensed medical doctors. Risks of this basically irreversible procedure include infection and deformity of the ear, which is often caused by poor technique or poor healing.
The procedure only costs about $600, but the price to deal with serious complications may have a long lasting impact that will require more than money to fix.
