Cosmetic ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, is a cosmetic  surgery procedure designed to reduce the size of large ears or pin back ears that protrude too far from the head. Commonly referred to as "ear pinning," this plastic surgery procedure can greatly enhance a person’s appearance and self-esteem.

Candidates for Otoplasty

Most cosmetic ear surgery patients are children between the ages of four and fourteen. The ears are fully grown by age four, and the sooner a child undergoes otoplasty, the less teasing and embarrassment he or she will experience growing up. Learn more about pediatric  otoplasty.
Ear plastic surgery is also an excellent option for adults who suffer from large, protruding ears or stretched earlobes. Adults of all ages are generally excellent  candidates  for  otoplasty  surgery.

How is the procedure done ?

There are different types of surgery for ear correction, and depending on which one is being performed, otoplasty typically takes about one to two hours to complete. The patient is placed under sedation while the cartilage of the ear is reshaped and any excess skin removed.

Ear pinning and ear reshaping surgery is usually performed under a local anesthetic with a sedative for adults and general anesthesia for children.
To begin otoplasty surgery, the surgeon makes an incision behind the ear to expose the cartilage. The cartilage is then reshaped and any excess skin removed. Finally, if necessary, the ear is repositioned more closely to the head, and the incision is closed with non-removable stitches or sutures.

 

Recovery from Ear Surgery

Postoperative ear surgery patients experience very few side effects. Recovery  from  ear  surgery  can take up to six weeks; however, adult patients can typically resume their normal routines a few days after their procedure. Children generally require a week of rest before going back to school