Ear Pinning (Otoplasty)

Commonly performed on children but may also be performed on adults without any increase of risk. Ear pinning brings ears in toward the head if protruding or reduces the size of ears that appear disproportionate to the body.

Children often receive general anesthesia in order to sleep through the procedure which may take two to three hours. Older children and adults commonly receive local anesthesia in combination with a sedative and remain awake during the procedure.

The procedure:

A small incision in the back of the ear exposes the cartilage. The cartilage is bent back toward the head, or sculpted, and set in place with non-removable stitches. If needed, a piece of cartilage may be removed to give the ear a natural-looking fold.

Healing process:

Bandages are placed around the head to help mold the ears in their new position. Ears may throb and ache for the first few days and any activity in which the ears may be accidentally bent should be avoided for several weeks. Results are immediately evident once bandages are removed.