Ear pinback, Ear Repositioning, Ear Correction, Pinnaplasty, Earfold®, Ear Pinning, Ear Reshaping Surgery
Otoplasty, means to mould the ear. In the commonest use of this term it refers to pinning back Prominent Ears. There can be Non-Surgical, Minimal Surgical and Surgical Approaches, with the non-surgical approach really suitable in the first year of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pin back my ears without surgery?
The non-surgical approach, relies on reducing the prominent ears, by moulding and splitting the ears in early infancy (before 1 year of age) using Ear Buddies™ splints. These splints need to be worn continuously for 2–24 weeks (depending on the age at which the treatment is begun).
Do you offer Earfold® surgery at Reforme?
Earfold® surgery is not offered at Reforme, Dr Prashant prefers local anesthesia, Pinnaplasty surgery instead.
Who is a good candidate for Otoplasty or Pinnaplasty?
The human ear generally reaches its full size by the age of 5 years, this is the reason why Otoplasty or Ear Pinning surgery for kids is generally offered between 5–7 years of age. Adult patients also request ear reshaping, for cosmetic reasons, especially if they have faced bullying or social stigmatization related to the prominence of their ears. The prominent ears can lead them to appear large in proportion to the head.
What happens during Surgical Otoplasty or Pinnaplasty?
The surgery can be done under local or general anesthesia, and involves making a cut on the skin behind your ears. Thereafter the cartilage is weakened and then bent and kept in the desired shape using non-absorbable sutures; the skin is then stitched and a dressing is given. You will have a bandage that will be on your head to keep the operative site secure. This head dressing will be in place for 7–10 days after which it will be removed.
When can I see the results?
As with all cosmetic surgery procedures, you will have bandages that come off at 3 days, after that the swelling and bruising dissipate slowly over a couple of weeks to months.
Will my hearing be affected by otoplasty – what are the complications of the surgery?
No, an ear pinning or Pinnaplasty procedure will not affect your hearing. As with all surgeries, there are infrequent risks like infection, bruising, swelling. The scars generally settle back very well, but sometimes can give rise to unsightly raised or hypertrophic scars. While the surgeon will make all attempts to getting both sides symmetrical, there might be residual asytmmetries that might need corrections.
Is Ear Repositioning or Otoplasty available on the NHS?
The NHS will generally not offer this cosmetic procedure in adults, however in the instances were a child is facing bullying and is in significant emotional distress, some NHS centres will offer them this surgery.
Approximate Costs
An accurate estimate of the costs is only possible after an in-clinic consultation with Dr Prashant. We charge a £50 deposit to secure your consultation with Dr Prashant, this amount will be deducted from the costs of the treatment you go on to have at our clinic.
The cost of Otoplasty or Pinnaplasty can vary with the complexity required our prices start from £3000 to £4000