Ear pinning

The operation is done in a clinic as an outpatient.

If your child is young, the surgeon will recommend a general anaesthetic. In young patients or adults the procedure is usually done with local anaesthetic with or without sedation. If sedation is given, the patient is aware but relaxed.

Normally the procedure will last between 1.5 and 2 hours although in more complicated cases it may last longer. The most common technique is done by making an incision behind the ear to expose the cartilage which is the n remodelled or reduced depending on the case. Usually some stitches are put in the cartilage to achieve the desired angle of the ear.

In cases where there is an exaggerated amount of cartilage on the auricular shell this will be removed through the same incision. On some occasions it may be necessary to make some small incisions in the front part of the ear cartilage, it all depends on the size of the problem and the recommendations of your plastic surgeon.

Normally a small piece of skin is removed from behind the ear and with time the scar will disappear. If only one ear is deformed the procedure can be done on both ears to ensure symmetry between the ears.

Any pain is easily controlled with painkillers and anti inflammatories. The ear will be bandaged immediately after the procedure using a protective elastic bandage. After 2 or 3 days this will be changed for an elastic tape.

It is recommended that the head is elevated when resting.

No activities which may involve impact of the ear may be done for at least a week. Adults can return to work 3 days after the procedure and children can return to school after 7 days but any impact must be avoided. The stitches will dissolve or be removed after 1 or 2 weeks.

The elastic tape must be worn during the day for 10 days and at night for 45 days.

All surgical procedures carry certain risks. When the otoplasty is done by a qualified plastic surgeon with experience, complications are very rare and normally not serious.

In a small pecentage of patients, bruises can form which will heal sponaneously or can be drained.

Any infection of the cartilage is treated with antibioptics or very rarely with further surgery.

A lack of symmetry between the ears is possible but this is the same with people who don´t undergo any procedure.

In some cases the ears may become less pinned over time, above all in younger patients who are still growing. This is easily fixed by putting in new stitches, usually with local anaesthetic. Normally any scars are hidden behind the ears or in the natural crease in front of the ear but some patients may need alternative treatment for scarring. Normally sensitivity returns after the treatment with variations in the time it takes.

Apart from prominent ears there are other problems with ears such as the the tip being bent forward or an ear without the exterior curve or the natural creases. In these cases your surgeon will evaluate each case inividually and study possible solutions.

In some cases surgery can leave scars which are worse than the original problem.

Surgery can also correct mishapen lobes and reconstruct ears in those cases where a patient is born without or has lost an ear due to a trauma or accident.

Some patients, whether young or old, may initially be frightened by the result of ear surgery, but keep in mind that the goal is to improve, not perfection. Do not wait for two perfect and absolutely symmetrical ears, but look for a natural way possible.

If you have discussed the procedure and expectations about the surgery with your surgeon before the procedure, there will be many chances that you will find it very complicated with the result of the surgery.