Ear Surgery, Pinnaplasty or Otoplasty (Setting back prominent ears)

Up to 20% of the population of the UK consider their ears to be too prominent. In many cases the shape and lie of the ears are inherited. Prominent ears often lack a normal fold and sometimes one ear is more prominent than the other. People with prominent ears are sometimes teased, particularly during their school years, and this can lead to a loss of self confidence.

What can be done?

Pinnaplasty or Otoplasty ear surgery is a plastic surgery operation which adjusts the shape of the cartilage within the ear to create the missing folds and to allow the ear to lie closer to the side of the head. The operation is carried out from behind the ears so a small scar is left close to the groove between the ear and the sides of the head. This plastic surgery procedure can be carried out under a local anaesthetic but in the young a general anaesthetic is usually required. Where the lobe of the ear is especially large a small procedure to reduce its size may also be required.

Who is a candidate?

This plastic surgery operation is most often done during childhood but it is best when the patient is 5 years old or more as until then the cartilage is very floppy and does not hold the stitches well. It is recommended that although parents may feel their child’s ears should be corrected to avoid teasing and stigmatisation it is best to wait until the child recognises the problem and wants to have the ears corrected. Children are generally more co-operative and happy with the outcome when they fully understand why the plastic surgery is taking place. Pinnaplasty is also performed during the teenage years and in adult life, when either a local or general anaesthetic can be used.

For further information on all procedures, please contact us on 0800 084 2321 or email info@pdsurgery.co.uk.