Ear Pinning

Otoplasty or Pinnaplasty (also known as ear pinning) is a procedure that entails the reshaping of prominent or protruding ears by removing cartilage from behind the ears. The ears are pinned back to a position closer to the head for aesthetic purposes. Protruding ears filter no physical harm to the body.

A Good Candidate for Ear Pinning (Otoplasty/Pinnaplasty)

Children between the ages of 6 and 14 are good candidates for the ear pinning procedure because the pliability of cartilage before adulthood benefits achieving the best results.

However, adults who are self-conscious about their ears can also find comfort from this procedure. Self -confidence beats the mild side-effects of this procedure and makes the surgery worth enduring.

Ear Pinning (Otoplasty/Pinnaplasty) Procedure

The first step is a detailed consultation with your surgeon, who will discuss with you the details of the procedure, the choices of anesthesia and aid you to determine the best method for achieving your desired end results.

After a local or general anesthesia is administered, the surgeon will make a small incision behind each ear where cartilage will be removed.

The ears are repositioned and pinned back with either dissolving stitches that will dissolve in approximately 4 days or regular stitches that require the patient return to the hospital or to a doctor’s office to have the stitches removed one to two weeks after the surgery.

The methods of this procedure may vary by each doctor’s preference. This procedure is outpatient, which means that the patient can return home the same day.

Average Duration of Ear Pinning Surgery: 1-2 hours