Ear Reshaping (Pinnaplasty/Otoplasty)

What does this involve?

The surgeon will make incisions behind each of your ears. The cartilage may be re-shaped, folded or some of it may be removed. Then stitches are used to hold the ear back in its new position. Once surgery is complete, the incisions are closed with sutures.

Following the procedure you will be taken from the operating theatre into the Recovery Suite where you will be looked after until you are fully awake following the anaesthetic. After this, you will return to your room, where nursing staff will check your dressings and monitor your pulse and blood pressure at regular intervals. 

The anaesthetist is likely to prescribe painkillers to reduce any potential discomfort and you should take these regularly for the first few days. Pain can slow down your recovery, so it is important to discuss any discomfort with the nursing staff.

There may be a drip in one of your arms which is to ensure that you are kept well hydrated so that your recovery is as quick as possible. The drip will be removed once you are able to drink a satisfactory amount.  Providing you are not feeling nauseous, you may start to drink and eat as soon as you feel ready.

You will also have dressings in place, usually a tight bandage, which will be positioned around your head, covering your ears. These bandages will also be removed before you go home.  Your nurses will give you advice on getting out of bed, personal hygiene, and diet.

You will also be visited by the Cosmetic Surgery Specialist Nurse before you are discharged home. She will give you advice about caring for your dressings/bandages, the wearing of support stockings and headband, and discuss your post-operative activity.

When will I recover

After a Pinnaplasty you are likely to have some discomfort/pain, swelling, and bruising. These are temporary and should subside after the first few weeks.

You should follow your surgeon's advice regarding how long to avoid driving but you certainly should not begin driving again until you are confident that you can safely perform an emergency stop without experiencing any discomfort.

Your surgeon will advise you as to how long you will be required to keep your dressings/bandages in place - this can be up to two weeks. Once this dressing is removed, you may be advised to wear a smaller and lighter headband to protect your ears. Your surgeon will inform you how long you will need to wear the headband and whether it is to be worn day and night. They will also suggest that you avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and swimming for approximately six weeks after surgery.

You will receive a post-operative telephone call from the Cosmetic Surgery Specialist Nurse one to two days after your discharge home to ascertain your progress and well being.

At your post-operative follow-up appointment your surgeon will assess your progress and give advice on when you can resume your normal activities.

What risks should I know about?

Pinnaplasty is a commonly performed and generally safe procedure. However, all surgery carries an element of risk.

The possible complications of any surgery can include an unexpected reaction to a general anaesthetic, excessive bleeding, developing a blood clot (usually in a vein in the lower leg, known as a DVT - deep vein thrombosis) and infection. Signs of infection include uncontrolled pain, redness, swelling, oozing from wounds, and fever.

You will be left with visible scars following your surgery. Initially they will be red and slightly raised, but they should gradually soften and fade over the following months.

It is possible to develop a blood clot in the ear after surgery. This may dissolve naturally, but if this is not the case, the clot may need to be softened with ear drops or drawn out with a needle.

Very rarely, there can be loss of skin near the operated area. This sometimes requires repair with a skin graft.

Circle care

Pinnaplasty is carried out at CircleBath, our state of the art hospital, which provides you with the best facilities and superb patient care.  We have a dedicated team of Cosmetic Surgeons and Nurses who will guide you through the process from first consultation to after-care and will be available to answer any questions or queries you may have.