Ear pinning surgery is a procedure that is performed to correct the position of the ears. It can be performed on children who have one or both of their ears protruding from their head, as well as on adults who have had problems with their ear shape since their childhood. Ear pinning surgery is usually performed because the patient wants to make their ears appear smaller and more symmetrical.
Ear pinning surgery is also known as otoplasty, which means “ear correction.” The procedure itself involves reshaping the cartilage in the ear to change its appearance and/or position, which may include removing excess skin and cartilage or adding cartilage if necessary.
If you’ve ever had a piercing, then you know that earrings are the ultimate accessory. But what if you don’t have pierced ears? Ear pinning surgery is a procedure that can help you get your ears pierced without having to go through the pain of getting them done.
How much is an ear pinning surgery
Otoplasty is a type of reconstructive surgery done on the outer ear to reshape it to and improve the ear’s appearance, including correcting deformities.
What is Ear Pinning?
Ear pinning or otopexy, corrects ears that look oversized because of the way they protrude. Ears that stand out more than 2 centimeters from the side of the head or angle at more than 35° are candidates for ear pinning surgery.
Around the nation, ear pinning cost is generally around $2500-$4000 for both ears.
Why Ear Pinning Surgery Should Be Considered
It’s important not to dismiss the anguish people with protruding ears can suffer.
About five percent of the general population have protruding ears. This small number includes Britain’s Prince Charles, who endured considerable bullying as a child from his board school classmates for his protruding ears and extreme shyness. Later, when he was an adult and in the public eye, British cartoonists picked up on his ears. (Now at age 70, and Britain’s longest-serving Prince of Wales, the press has finally let up on him, or at least his ears.)
Ear pinning surgery has very high satisfaction rates. Children and adults, male and female, who have this procedure both report very high satisfaction rates. Many gain self-confidence from their improved appearance and experience a better attitude toward life in general.
How Much Does Otoplasty Cost? (Other Ear Procedures)
An otoplasty price rarely exceeds $4000 even for more complex and longer procedures.
Discounts and Payment Plans
Dr. Rochlin offers a 10% discount to military personnel and veterans. We offer a layaway plan for patients who do not have immediate funds. Our standard plans require a nonrefundable $1000 opening deposit and a series of payments for 12 months. We accept Care Credit and United Medical Credit, as well as Visa and Mastercard. Personal checks, cashier’s checks, and money orders are also accepted with a 14-day bank clearance. And yes, we accept cash payments.
For more information and to apply for a medical credit card, visit our payment options page.
What Happens During and After Otoplasty Surgery
Otoplasty surgery is performed as outpatient surgery. They can last from one to two hours depending on the procedure. It leaves a thin scar hidden behind the ear and out of sight. It fades with time until it’s barely noticeable.
The ear, or ears, will be bandaged for several days and must not get wet. This means taking showers with a cap or baths – no shampooing! Once the bandages are removed, patients will see an immediate improvement in spite of the ear being red and sore. They will be instructed to wear a supportive headband over their ears at night for up to six weeks to keep them from being pushed forward during sleep.
Patients can return to work or school after a few days and go back to normal activities after two weeks.
Many patients will feel numbness around the ears for several weeks and there may be some bruising for a couple of weeks. Once the numbness wears off, there may be some soreness at night.
Complications like infection or bleeding are rare and easily treated. Slight asymmetry is more common due to the way ears heal; perfect symmetry is impossible to achieve. Sometimes there is a recurrence of the ears returning to pre-otoplasty positions and start to stick out again, requiring additional surgery. The most common complication is over-correcting and positioning ears too close to the head.
What Causes Large or Protruding Ears?
Large or protruding ears seem to run in families, so genetics plays a part. Here are some other known causes:
- Overdeveloped cartilage in the pinna, which builds up and pushes the pinna outward
- Under-developed pinna cartilage that prevents the outer edge of the ear from folding inward during development and stick out instead
- Injury to the ear
All About Otoplasty (Cosmetic Ear Surgery)
Otoplasty is a type of cosmetic surgery involving the ears. During otoplasty, a plastic surgeon can adjust the size, positioning, or shape of your ears.
Some people choose to have otoplasty to correct a structural abnormality. Others have it because their ears protrude too far from their head and don’t like it.
Keep reading to discover more about otoplasty, who typically has it, and what the procedure is like.
What is otoplasty?
Otoplasty is sometimes referred to as cosmetic ear surgery. It’s performed on the visible portion of the outer ear, called the auricle.
The auricle comprises folds of cartilage that are covered in skin. It starts to develop before birth and continues developing in the years after you’re born.
If your auricle doesn’t develop properly, you may choose to have otoplasty to correct the size, positioning, or shape of your ears.
There are several different types of otoplasty:
- Ear augmentation. Some people may have small ears or ears that haven’t completely developed. In these cases, they may want to have otoplasty to increase the size of their outer ear.
- Ear pinning. This type of otoplasty involves drawing the ears closer to the head. It’s performed on individuals whose ears stick out prominently from the sides of their head.
- Ear reduction. Macrotia is when your ears are larger than normal. People with macrotia may choose to have otoplasty to reduce the size of their ears.
Who’s a good candidate for otoplasty?
Otoplasty is typically used for ears that:
- protrude from the head
- are larger or smaller than normal
- have an abnormal shape due to injury, trauma, or a structural issue from birth
Additionally, some people may have already had otoplasty and aren’t happy with the results. Because of this, they may choose to have another procedure.
Good candidates for otoplasty include those who are:
- Ages 5 or older. This is the point when the auricle has reached 90 percentTrusted Source of its adult size.
- In good overall health. Having an underlying condition can increase the risk of complications or affect healing.
- Nonsmokers. Smoking can decrease blood flow to the area, slowing the healing process.
What’s the procedure like?
Let’s explore what exactly you can expect before, during, and after your otoplasty procedure.
Before: Consultation
Always choose a board certified plastic surgeon for otoplasty. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has a helpful search tool to help you find a board certified plastic surgeon in your area.
Before having your procedure, you’ll need to have a consultation with your plastic surgeon. During this time, the following things will happen:
- Medical history review. Be prepared to answer questions about medications you’re taking, past surgeries, and any current or previous medical conditions.
- Examination. Your plastic surgeon will evaluate the shape, size, and placement of your ears. They may also take measurements or pictures.
- Discussion. This includes talking about the procedure itself, the associated risks, and potential costs. Your plastic surgeon will also want to hear about your expectations for the procedure.
- Questions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if something is unclear or you feel like you need more information. It’s also recommended to ask questions about your surgeon’s qualifications and years of experience.
During: The procedure
Otoplasty is typically an outpatient procedure. It can take between 1 to 3 hours, depending on the specifics and complexity of the procedure.
Adults and older children may receive local anesthesia with a sedative during the procedure. In some cases, general anesthesia may be used. General anesthesia is typically recommended for younger children undergoing otoplasty.
The specific surgical technique that’s used will depend on the type of otoplasty you’re having. Generally speaking, otoplasty involves:
- Making an incision, either on the back of your ear or inside the folds of your ear.
- Manipulating the tissue of the ear, which can include removal of cartilage or skin, folding and shaping of cartilage with permanent stitches, or grafting of cartilage to the ear.
- Closing the incisions with stitches.
After: Recovery
Following your procedure, you’ll have a dressing placed over your ears. Be sure to keep your dressing clean and dry. Additionally, try to do the following while your recover:
- Avoid touching or scratching at your ears.
- Choose a sleeping position where you aren’t resting on your ears.
- Wear clothing you don’t have to pull over your head, such as button-up shirts.
In some cases, you may also need to have stitches removed. Your doctor will let you know if this is necessary. Some types of stitches dissolve on their own.
Common postsurgery side effects
Common side effects during the recovery period include:
- ears that feel sore, tender, or itchy
- redness
- swelling
- bruising
- numbness or tingling
Your dressing will stay in place for about a week. After it’s removed, you’ll need to wear an elastic headband for another 4 to 6 weeksTrusted Source. You can wear this headband at night. Your doctor will let you know when you can return to various activities.
What are the risks or precautions to be aware of?
Like other surgical procedures, otoplasty has some associated risks. These can include:
- a bad reaction to the anesthesia
- bleeding
- infection
- ears that aren’t symmetrical or have unnatural-looking contours
- scarring at or around the incision sites
- changes in skin sensation, which are typically temporary
- suture extrusion, where the stitches securing the shape of your ears come to the surface of the skin and have to be removed and reapplied
Is otoplasty covered by insurance?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of otoplasty is $3,156. The cost may be lower or higher depending on factors like the plastic surgeon, your location, and the type of procedure that’s used.
In addition to the costs of the procedure, there may also be other costs. These can include things like fees related to anesthesia, prescription medications, and the type of facility you use.
Otoplasty typically isn’t covered by insurance since it’s often considered cosmetic. That means you may have to pay costs out of pocket. Some plastic surgeons may offer a payment plan to help with costs. You can ask about this during your initial consultation.
In some cases, insurance may cover otoplasty that helps relieve a medical condition.
Be sure to talk with your insurance company about your coverage before the procedure.
Key takeaways
Otoplasty is a cosmetic surgery for the ears. It’s used to adjust the size, shape, or position of your ears.
People have otoplasty for many reasons. These can include having ears that protrude, are larger or smaller than normal, or have an abnormal shape.
There are a few different types of otoplasty. The type that’s used and the specific technique will depend on your needs. Recovery usually takes several weeks.
If you’re considering otoplasty, look for a board certified plastic surgeon in your area. Try to focus on providers who have many years of experience performing otoplasty and a high satisfaction rating.