Ear-pinning surgery (pinnaplasty)

Ear-pinning surgery, also known as a pinnaplasty, is a type of otoplasty (outer ear surgery) where your ears are repositioned closer to the sides of your head. It is an elective (chosen) procedure that you may decide to have if you are self-conscious about your ears and feel they stick out more than you would like. Ear-pinning surgery is most commonly performed on children and teenagers, but adults can also have the procedure.

Other types of otoplasty include:

• Incisionless otoplasty: a minimally invasive technique wear the ears are stitched closer to your head, without making any incisions or removing any tissue
• Ear augmentation: is a type of ear correction surgery to rebuild missing tissue, or correct damaged, misshapen or underdeveloped ears using cartilage grafts or implants
• Ear reduction: reduces the size of your ears by removing excess skin and cartilage

Why might I choose to have ear-pinning surgery?

You may decide to have ear pinning surgery if you are self-conscious about the appearance of your ears and feel they protrude (stick out) too much. Ear-pinning surgery can give your face a more balanced appearance and make your ears less prominent which can improve your confidence and self-esteem.

How much does pinnaplasty cost?

The cost of private ear pinning surgery will depend on various factors including the hospital and consultant you choose to have treatment with, as well as the specifics of your operation. For a personalised quote, you can call our team of advisors.

Ear-pinning surgery is done by making an incision (cut) at the back of your ear and changing the shape of the flexible connective tissue (cartilage) so that your ears are positioned closer to your head. This can improve your face’s balance and symmetry as well as draw attention to your other features. Any scarring after ear pinning surgery is minimal and is usually behind your ear and not visible.

Can you pin your ears back without surgery?

There are a few options available for pinning your ears back without surgery, however, they are generally used for babies and small children and are not usually recommended for adults. 
Non-surgical techniques to correct prominent ears include ear splinting and adhesive strips. A minimally invasive technique called an Earfold implant is also available.

Ear splinting

This involves applying soft, mouldable splints to the ears that apply gentle pressure over time, gradually reshaping the cartilage and improving your ear's position. This technique is usually used for babies up to six months of age

Adhesive strips

Adhesive strips and devices can be used to correct prominent ears by using skin-friendly tape to hold your ears closer to your head. For babies, there is some evidence that consistent use can lead to long-term reshaping and repositioning, but for adults, the results are not permanent.

Earfold implant

A minimally-invasive procedure where a small, gold-plated implant is placed under the skin through a small incision. The implant reshapes the cartilage and keeps it in position, correcting the prominence.

Before your ear-pinning surgery, you will have an initial consultation with one of our expert cosmetic or plastic surgeons to discuss your surgery and ask any questions you may have. You will also need a preoperative health assessment, and you will be given instructions on how to prepare for your surgery.

At your first consultation, you will be seen by a consultant plastic or cosmetic surgeon, a doctor specialising in plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. Your first appointment is important as it’s where you’ll meet your consultant, the doctor responsible for your care. At your appointment, your consultant will ask you about your reasons for wanting ear pinning or ear reshaping surgery and what results you hope to achieve from the procedure. They will ask you if you have any long-term health conditions, whether you are taking any regular medications, and about your medical history and general health.

Your consultant will examine your ears and may take pictures of your face and ears from different angles.

During your appointment, your consultant will spend time getting to know you and encourage you to ask any questions you may have. At Circle Health Group, we want you to be as well-informed and comfortable as possible during your time with us, so please discuss any questions or concerns with your consultant during your appointment.

It may be a good idea to write down any questions before your appointment to make sure you don’t forget anything. You may want to ask about:

• Your consultant’s qualifications and experience
• Any alternatives to ear-pinning surgery 
• How to prepare for ear-pinning surgery
• What kind of anaesthetic will be used?
• What happens during ear-pinning surgery?
• What to expect during your recovery
• What kind of result can I expect from ear-pinning surgery?
• Will I have any visible scars? 
• Any possible risks or complications

Your consultant will tell you everything you need to do to prepare for your ear-pinning surgery. Instructions on how to prepare will also be in your appointment letter.

If there’s anything you’re not sure about, or if you have any questions, please contact the hospital for advice.

Pre-operative assessment 

Around a week or two before your surgery, you may need to attend the hospital for a pre-operative assessment to make sure you are fit for surgery. Take any medication you take regularly with you to your appointment. At the preoperative assessment, we will check your weight and blood pressure and order tests such as a blood test, chest X-ray and electrocardiogram (ECG) to evaluate your general health.

Optimise your general health

It's important to be in the best possible health before your ear-pinning surgery as this will allow your procedure to go as smoothly as possible, speed up your recovery and reduce the risk of any complications after your surgery.

To ensure you are as healthy as possible before your ear-pinning surgery:

• Stop smoking at least eight weeks before your procedure. Smoking increases the risk of complications such as breathing difficulties and infection and can impair wound healing. Your consultant can offer you advice and support with quitting smoking before your surgery
• Follow a healthy, nutritious diet
• Take regular exercise
• Avoid alcohol for a few days before your surgery. Alcohol thins your blood and can increase the risk of bleeding during your operation

Regular medications

Your consultant may tell you to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, for a few days before your surgery. This is to minimise the risk of bleeding during and after your procedure.

Eating and drinking

You may not be able to eat or drink anything for several hours before your procedure. Your healthcare team will tell you when you can last eat or drink before your ear-pinning surgery.

What happens during ear-pinning surgery may be slightly different for everyone and depends on your consultant, their preferred techniques, what needs to be corrected, and what you want to achieve from your surgery.

Before your pinnaplasty, you’ll need to sign a consent form to say that you agree to have the procedure and are aware of what it entails and the possible risks and complications of the surgery.

Ear-pinning surgery can be performed under general anaesthetic, meaning you’ll be asleep for the procedure, or local anaesthetic, where you’ll be awake but won’t feel any pain. If you have a local anaesthetic, you may be offered a sedative to help you feel sleepy and relaxed during your surgery.

During ear-pinning surgery:

1. Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, your consultant will make a small incision behind your ear.
2. They will peel back some skin to access the cartilage and either re-shape, fold, or remove some of the cartilage to correct your ear’s position. 
3. Your consultant will stitch your ears in their new position and apply a sterile dressing and a compression bandage.
4. The procedure is repeated on your other ear.

How long does ear-pinning surgery take?

A pinnaplasty usually takes between one and two hours.

Recovering from any type of surgery is a gradual process that is different for everyone. Recovering from ear-pinning surgery depends on several factors including your age, general health, the type of procedure you had and your individual recovery process. You can help your recovery go as smoothly as possible by being well-informed about your surgery and recovery and following your consultant’s post-operative instructions carefully. Call the hospital if you have any questions or concerns.

After your ear-pinning surgery

After your pinnaplasty, you’ll be taken to the recovery room where you will be monitored closely until the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off. You’ll then be taken to your room. You may be able to go home later the same day after your ear pinning surgery, or you may need to spend one night in hospital.

You’ll likely have some pain or discomfort after your ear-pinning surgery. Your healthcare team will give you medication to manage this.

Recovering from ear-pinning surgery at home

After your ear-pinning surgery, you’ll need to wear a compression bandage over your head and ears for the first week. After this is removed you’ll need to wear a lighter headband continuously for the first week and at night for six to eight weeks.

You won’t be able to drive yourself home from the hospital after your ear-pinning surgery. Please arrange for someone to collect you, or we can organise a taxi if you prefer. You should avoid driving for 24 to 48 hours after your surgery, especially if you had a general anaesthetic, as you may still be drowsy, and your reaction times may be impaired.

We recommend taking a week off work after your pinnaplasty to allow yourself time to recuperate and recover.

Avoid any strenuous activity for at least four weeks after your surgery.

Full recovery from pinnaplasty normally takes between four and six weeks and you should see the results of your surgery after around six weeks. Swelling may be present for up to three months after your surgery.

Ear-pinning surgery is a generally safe procedure, but as with any type of surgery, there is a small risk of complications.

Your consultant will explain all the possible risks and complications of ear-pinning surgery before your procedure and answer any questions you may have. It’s important that you are fully informed about any possible risks and complications before your ear-pinning surgery and are able to make an informed decision.

Possible complications of any type of surgery include:

• Adverse reactions to the anaesthetic
• Bleeding 
• Blood clots in the legs or lungs
• Wound infection
• Damage to nearby structures
• Chest infection

Possible complications specific to ear-pinning surgery include:

• Numbness, tingling or stiffness in your ears: this is usually temporary and resolves within a few weeks or months 
• Your ears may be asymmetrical (not the same on each side)

At Circle Health Group, we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group, you can expect the highest standards of care including:

• Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Private ensuite rooms as standard
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about private ear-pinning surgery,  book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.

Ear correction surgery including ear pinning - NHS

Ear Pinning - Cleveland Clinic

Treatments and Procedures: Ear Pinning - Johns Hopkins Medicine