If you feel your ears stick out too much, are too large, or you are not happy with their shape, ear pinning, also known as pinnaplasty or otoplasty, can reshape your ears and make them less prominent.
About the pinnaplasty procedure
During the operation, your surgeon makes cuts behind each ear. The cartilage may be re-shaped, folded, or some of it may be removed. Stitches are then used to hold the ear back in its new position.
Pinnaplasty normally takes one to two hours and you’ll usually be able to return home later the same day. It can be performed under general anaesthetic, which means you will be asleep during the procedure, or under local anaesthetic when the area will be numb but you will be awake. If you are having a local anaesthetic, you may also be offered a sedative to help you relax.
Pinnaplasty is a commonly performed and generally safe surgical procedure. People with prominent ears can be very distressed by the way they look, so for most people, the benefits are greater than the disadvantages. However, all operations carry risks as well as benefits.
As with any cosmetic procedure, it is important that you review your expectations thoroughly before you decide to proceed. Your consultant surgeon will explain the results you can expect, and will discuss the associated risks and alternatives to the procedure before going ahead.
With Spire Healthcare you will see a consultant of your choice at a time that suits you. You will be treated in a premium private hospital, not a clinic, and you can be assured of our commitment to healthcare standards and infection control excellence.