Ear Shaping (Otoplasty) Ear Surgery with H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery
CORRECTS MISSHAPEN, PROTRUDING, OVERLY LARGE EARS
If you could save your child from years of teasing and embarrassment, would you? Otoplasty is one of the few plastic surgery procedures commonly performed on children. It corrects misshapen, protruding, or overly large ears. However, otoplasty isn’t just for children—millions of adults have this procedure performed every year to restore balance and confidence in their appearance.
If your ears or the ears of your child protrude, or if your ears have become injured or misshapen, ear pinning surgery, or otoplasty, is a specialized plastic surgery procedure that improves their appearance. This otoplasty ear pinning approach can bring the ears into better balance with the rest of the face and profile. For some, the otoplasty needed is a technique often called ear pinning surgery, which involves bringing the ear back toward the scalp to a less protuberant position. For others, the ear cartilage must be reshaped to correct abnormalities.
And in some cases, both ear pinning and ear reshaping or resizing are required for the best aesthetic result. Many patients are interested in ear pinning before-and-after results, and your surgeon can review photos during your visit so you understand what this ear pinning procedure can realistically achieve.
Patients seeking ear pinning surgery (otoplasty) usually have adequate cartilage that has simply not developed a normal curvature and position. Surgeons can properly curve the cartilage, but some surgeons advocate sharp cutting, which leaves a sharp or straight line. At H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery, we avoid this by using a gentle, cartilage-curving technique and invisible sutures.
For patients who have previously undergone a prominent ear correction that was unsuccessful, we can usually correct it with our gentle, cartilage-curving technique.
Whether you are considering otoplasty ear pinning for yourself or your child, our team will walk you through every step of the otoplasty operation and recovery. To learn more about ear surgery at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery, complete our online form today to schedule a visit.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Ear Surgery?
Good candidates for ear surgery are children, teens, or adults who are bothered by the size, shape, or projection of their ears and want a lasting correction. Ears that stick out from the head, appear overly large, or have misshapen cartilage folds often respond very well to an otoplasty ear pinning technique.
You or your child may be a candidate if:
- The ears protrude noticeably from the sides of the head.
- There is a history of teasing or self-consciousness about ear appearance.
- The ear cartilage is fully developed (typically ages 5 or older in children)
- You are in good general health and willing to follow aftercare instructions.
During consultation, we will evaluate ear symmetry, cartilage strength, and skin quality, then recommend the most appropriate ear pinning procedure or reshaping approach for your goals.
What Can I Expect During Ear Surgery?
Otoplasty is a relatively simple procedure. Ear surgery can usually be performed on an outpatient basis using general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation at our fully accredited surgical facility on our beautiful campus, where our highly qualified nurses will pamper you. Our nurses are certified in advanced cardiac life support, and we also work with board-certified advanced anesthesia providers,
ensuring the highest level of supervision, evaluation, and care in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Your otoplasty operation is carefully planned so that ear pinning and reshaping look natural from the front, side, and back views. The incisions are located behind the ear or within the folds of the ear so that the scars are almost impossible to see. If protruding ears are to be placed closer to the scalp, sutures attach the back of the ears to the head. Reshaping the ears may require grafting cartilage from one part of the ear to another, although this is not necessary in most cases.
How Do I Prepare for My Otoplasty Operation?
Preparation for an otoplasty operation focuses on safety and smooth recovery. We will review your medical history, medications, and any prior surgeries. You may be asked to avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements before surgery, and children may need a simple preoperative exam from their pediatrician.
Before your ear pinning procedure, plan for:
- Comfortable clothing that does not have to be pulled tightly over the head
- A ride home and someone to stay with you or your child the first night
- Arranging time away from contact sports or rough play while healing
We will provide detailed instructions about eating and drinking before anesthesia, hair washing procedures, and headband use, so you feel confident and ready on the day of your otoplasty ear pinning.
What Are My Options for My Otoplasty Operation?
Otoplasty is customized to your ear shape and concerns, and there is no single one-size-fits-all otoplasty operation. Common options include:
- Ear pinning (setback otoplasty) – This otoplasty ear pinning technique brings protruding ears closer to the scalp using sutures placed in the cartilage. It is ideal for patients whose main concern is how far the ears stick out rather than their size.
- Cartilage reshaping and folding – For ears with abnormal folds or curves, cartilage can be gently scored and reshaped, creating a more refined and natural-looking contour without sharp edges.
- Resizing or reduction – In some cases, the ear is truly too large. Portions of cartilage and skin can be removed or reshaped to create a smaller, more proportional ear.
- Revision otoplasty – If a previous ear pinning procedure or surgery elsewhere did not achieve the desired result, a revision otoplasty operation may correct residual asymmetry, overcorrection, or contour issues.
During your visit, we will explain which combination of ear pinning and reshaping is recommended and what your ear pinning before and after expectations should realistically be.
Ear Shaping For Children
One of the biggest reasons that parents opt for otoplasty on their child is to prevent bullying. Children are notorious for pointing out each other’s flaws, and prominent ears are certainly a favorite. Parents hope that otoplasty at an early age will save their child from teasing, taunting, and bullying and help the child grow up with a healthy, strong sense of self confidence.
As a highly customized surgery, ear pin-back surgery or otoplasty requires exceptional skill and expertise. H/K/B surgeons are among the most experienced otoplasty surgeons in the country. They have performed ear surgery on both children and adults. Parents are often reassured when they see ear pinning before-and-after photos of other young patients and understand how early otoplasty ear pinning can change a child’s experience at school and in social situations.
When Can My Child Have Otoplasty?
Otoplasty can be performed during childhood or adulthood. Many adults that have the surgery are relieved to finally have ears they like but wish that they hadn’t endured a lifetime or teasing and embarrassment. Many have spent years hiding or covering their ears in an effort to camouflage them.
Otoplasty can be done early to prevent a child from the embarrassment of prominent or misshapen ears. In children, otoplasty can be performed once the cartilage is sufficiently developed, typically around 5 years of age. The ears reach their full size at a young age, allowing children to enjoy the benefits of otoplasty well before adulthood and often before they even start school.
What Other Procedures Can Ear Pinning Surgery Be Combined With?
For some patients, ear pinning surgery is just one part of an overall facial balance plan. When appropriate, otoplasty operation may be combined with other procedures such as:
- Rhinoplasty (nose surgery) – Adjusting the nose and ears in the same surgical plan can create a more harmonious side profile and facial proportions.
- Chin augmentation or contouring – Enhancing the chin can change the way the ears and jawline relate to each other, improving overall balance.
- Facial rejuvenation procedures – In adults, otoplasty ear pinning can be performed along with eyelid surgery, brow lift, or facelift to address both ear concerns and signs of aging in a single recovery period.
Your surgeon will discuss whether it is safest and most beneficial to combine procedures or to stage them over time.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Otoplasty?
Recovery is rapid after ear pinning surgery, or otoplasty, and pain is minimal. The patient can typically shower the very next day following surgery and resume normal activities shortly thereafter. We do ask our patients to wear a headband for six weeks following surgery to prevent accidental injury to the ears. If there is post-operative pain, medication can be taken. Often, over-the-counter pain pills are sufficient.
Of course, we will monitor your progress in follow-up appointments and answer any questions you have while you or your child heals. Otoplasty, ear pin-back surgery, or ear pinning results can typically last a lifetime with minimal chance of fluctuations or changes. Most patients find that once healing is complete, their ears feel and move naturally, and they no longer think about hiding them in photos or hairstyles.
Schedule Your Consultation
Ready to learn more about otoplasty? Complete our form to receive more information and to schedule your consultation with one of our expert surgeons at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery. We will review your goals, examine your ears, and explain the ear pinning procedure and otoplasty operation options that best fit your needs.
Ear Shaping Otoplasty FAQs
Otoplasty, or ear pinning, is a cosmetic ear surgery that repositions protruding ears closer to the head and, when needed, refines the shape of the ear cartilage. Sutures placed in the cartilage help create a more natural fold and hold the ear in a less prominent position. This ear pinning procedure is designed to look subtle and balanced, not over flattened.
Most children can safely have otoplasty once the ear cartilage is fully developed, usually around age 5 or older. At this age, the ears have reached their near-adult size, but social awareness and potential teasing may just be beginning. Performing ear pinning before school age or in the early school years can help children avoid years of self-consciousness about their ears.
Most incisions are placed behind the ear or within natural folds, making scars difficult to see once healing is complete. Over time, scars usually fade and are hidden by the ear’s natural contours and, in many patients, hair. Your surgeon will explain how to care for the incisions and what to expect as they mature.
Otoplasty ear pinning is typically associated with mild to moderate discomfort in the first few days, but most patients describe more of a tight or sore feeling than sharp pain. Oral pain medication and wearing the recommended headband help keep you or your child comfortable. Discomfort usually improves quickly as swelling goes down.
Ear pinning and reshaping are designed to be long-lasting, and in most cases, the results are considered permanent. Once the cartilage has healed in its new position and sutures are stable, it is unusual for the ears to return to their previous projection. Protecting the ears from trauma during healing is important to safeguard the result.
Recovery is generally quick. Many patients return to school or non-strenuous work within about a week, though contact sports and rough play must be avoided for a longer period of time. Swelling and bruising gradually improve over the first 1 to 2 weeks. A soft headband is usually worn full-time at first, then only at night to protect the ears while sleeping.
As with any surgery, otoplasty carries risks such as bleeding, infection, delayed healing, asymmetry, or unfavorable scarring. There is also a slight chance of needing a revision if the ears heal unevenly or if more correction is desired. Choosing an experienced surgeon and following all pre- and post-operative instructions helps minimize these risks.
Your surgeon will guide you based on your anatomy and goals. If your main concern is how far the ears stick out, a setback ear pinning procedure may be enough. If the ear folds or size needs to change, cartilage reshaping or reduction can be added. In revision cases, more complex techniques may be needed to correct previous work. Consultation is the best time to review these options in detail.