Otoplasty, also known as ear pinning, ear reduction surgery or prominent ear surgery, is a procedure designed to improve the shape, position or proportion of the ears.
Some people seek otoplasty because their ears protrude, appear uneven, or have folds that are not well formed. Prominent ears can sometimes affect confidence, particularly in children and teenagers who may experience teasing or unwanted comments.
Otoplasty can help place the ears in a more natural position and improve overall facial balance.
What Can Otoplasty Improve?
Otoplasty may be performed to:
- Pin back protruding ears
- Improve ears that appear uneven in size or shape
- Reduce excess cartilage
- Create a more natural ear contour
- Improve balance between the ears and the face
- Correct certain deformities of the ear folds
The most suitable approach depends on the patient’s age, ear shape, cartilage structure and goals for surgery.
Who May Benefit From Ear Pinning Surgery?
Otoplasty may be suitable for children, teenagers and adults who are concerned about prominent, protruding or uneven ears.
For children, surgery is generally considered once the ears have developed sufficiently, often from around six years of age. At this stage, the ear cartilage is still relatively soft and can be easier to reshape.
Otoplasty can also be effective for teenagers and adults, although cartilage usually becomes firmer with age.
More complex ear deformities may require an individualised surgical plan, which can be discussed during consultation.
Understanding the Otoplasty Procedure
In most cases, an incision is made behind the ear, near the natural fold where the ear joins the head. This helps keep the scar less visible.
Depending on the patient’s ear shape, the cartilage may be:
- Sculpted into a more natural contour
- Stitched into a new position
- Partly reduced or reshaped
- Folded back to create a more balanced appearance
The incision is closed with stitches, which may dissolve on their own or be removed after approximately 7 to 10 days.
Otoplasty usually takes around 1 to 2 hours, depending on the complexity of the procedure.
Anaesthetic Options
Otoplasty may be performed as a day procedure under:
- General anaesthetic
- Local anaesthetic with IV sedation
The best anaesthetic option will depend on the patient’s age, medical history, comfort level and the extent of surgery required.
Children who are discharged on the same day must be cared for by a responsible adult for the first 24 hours after surgery.
After the Procedure
After surgery, the ears are usually covered with a head wrap or dressing. Patients are typically able to go home after a few hours, depending on the anaesthetic used and their recovery.
A follow-up appointment is usually arranged approximately two days after surgery to remove the head wrap and assess early healing.
Your surgeon will provide specific aftercare instructions, including how to protect the ears during the healing period.
Your Initial Consultation
Your consultation is an important opportunity to discuss your concerns, expectations and suitability for surgery.
Questions you may wish to ask include:
- Am I a suitable candidate for otoplasty?
- What result is realistic for me or my child?
- How long will the procedure take?
- What is the expected recovery time?
- What are the risks and possible complications?
- Will post-operative medication be required?
- What are the costs involved?
It may be helpful to write down your questions before the appointment and take notes during the consultation.
Making an Informed Decision
Otoplasty is usually an elective procedure. This means it is a personal choice and should be considered carefully.
Good communication between patient and surgeon is important. You should feel comfortable asking questions and discussing your concerns before deciding whether to proceed.
The goal of otoplasty is to create a natural, aesthetically pleasing and balanced appearance. It is important to have realistic expectations and understand that surgery cannot guarantee perfection.
Seeking a second opinion is reasonable if you are uncertain about the advice you have received.
Medical History and Suitability
Before surgery, it is important to provide a complete and honest medical history. This helps your surgeon plan the safest and most appropriate treatment.
You should tell your surgeon about:
- Any previous facial or cosmetic surgery
- Current or past medical conditions
- Heart, lung or kidney disease
- Prolonged bleeding or excessive bruising
- Previous blood clots in the legs or lungs
- Gastric reflux
- Current medications
- Aspirin, Plavix, Rivaroxaban, Warfarin or other blood thinners
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Insulin or oral contraceptive medication
- Vitamins, supplements or herbal medicines
- Allergies or reactions to antibiotics, anaesthetic drugs or other medications
- Psychological or psychiatric conditions
- Past keloid scarring or poor wound healing
- Connective tissue disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or scleroderma
- Previous radiotherapy to the head, neck or breast area
This information is confidential and helps reduce the risk of complications.
Risks of Otoplasty Surgery
All surgery carries risks. While modern surgery is generally safe, complications can still occur even with a high standard of care.
General surgical risks may include:
- Wound infection requiring antibiotics
- Bleeding, blood clots or seroma
- Chest infection
- Sore throat from the breathing tube
- Raised or thickened scars, including hypertrophic or keloid scarring
Specific risks of otoplasty may include:
- Asymmetry between the ears
- Need for minor revision surgery
- Re-protrusion of the ear
- Temporary reduced sensation around the ears
- Nausea or temporary loss of balance
- Very uncommon skin necrosis
- Telephone or reverse telephone deformity
- Dissatisfaction with the final result
No two ears are exactly the same, so some degree of asymmetry is normal.
Recovery and Final Results
Final results after otoplasty are not usually visible immediately. Swelling and healing changes take time to settle.
The final appearance may take around 3 to 6 months to become fully apparent.
Follow-up appointments are recommended to assess healing, monitor the result and take postoperative photographs where appropriate.
Before You Book
Otoplasty can improve the appearance of prominent or uneven ears, but it is important to make an informed decision.
A consultation allows you to discuss your concerns, understand the procedure, review potential risks and decide whether surgery is suitable.
To learn more about otoplasty, ear pinning or prominent ear surgery, book a consultation to discuss your suitability, procedure options, recovery and expected results.
Book an appointment
For appointments and enquiries, please contact Ent Melbourne on (03) 9081 9006 or email A current referral may be required for specialist consultation.