Otoplasty (Ear Pinning)

Ear surgery (otoplasty) is a type of cosmetic plastic surgery procedure. It improves the shape, position, or proportion of the ear. Ear pinning is aimed at setting prominent ears closer to the head, or reducing the size of larger ears. But other ear problems can also be helped with this type of plastic surgery. Surgeons can even build new ears for those who were born without them or who lost them through injury.

Ear pinning is usually done on children between the ages of 5 and 6.

Possible complications linked to ear pinning may include:

• Blood clots on the ears
• Infection in the cartilage, which can cause scar tissue to form
• Recurrence of the prominent ears (the risk is higher in adults than children)

Although each procedure varies, generally, ear pinning surgeries alter the cartilage just behind the ear. In some cases, cartilage and skin might be removed. In other cases, stitches are used to hold the cartilage permanently in place.