Otoplasty
Also known as ear pinning, ear reshaping
Sets prominent ears closer to the head. Low risk, high satisfaction, and one of the best value-for-impact operations available.
US $3,000–7,000 for both ears.
How it works
The surgeon reshapes the antihelical fold with sutures and/or scores the cartilage, and may reduce an over-projected concha, repositioning the ear closer to the skull through an incision behind the ear.
How it's used
Can be done from around age 5–6 once ear growth is largely complete, and at any point in adulthood. Usually under local anaesthetic in adults. Ask specifically about the surgeon approach to avoiding the over-pinned "telephone ear" deformity.
Trade-offs
In favour
- Dramatic improvement for prominent ears
- Scar hidden behind the ear
- Local anaesthetic, day case
- Permanent in the large majority
- Relatively affordable
Against
- Headband required for several weeks
- Cannot sleep on your side initially
- Occasional asymmetry requiring touch-up
Risks and side effects
- Recurrence of prominence if sutures fail
- Asymmetry between ears
- Hypertrophic or keloid scarring behind the ear
- Haematoma requiring drainage
- Numbness of the ear, usually temporary
- Over-correction producing an unnatural pinned look
Recovery
Week 1: bulky dressing then a compression headband, discomfort when lying down. Weeks 2–6: headband at night, no contact sport, swelling resolving. Week 6: normal activity and final shape emerging.
How good is the evidence?
Long-established with high satisfaction and low complication rates in outcome studies.
Sources
Sources point to guideline bodies and literature searches rather than single papers, so they stay accurate as the evidence moves.