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Otoplasty, often called ear pinning or ear correction surgery, reshapes or repositions prominent or misshapen ears so they sit closer to the head and in better balance with the face. It is chosen by adults who have felt self-conscious about their ears for years, and it is also one of the few cosmetic procedures commonly performed in childhood, once the ear cartilage has developed sufficiently. Because the incisions are placed behind the ear, the resulting scars are usually inconspicuous.
Is this treatment right for you?
Suitable for: adults and older children with prominent, protruding or noticeably asymmetrical ears who are in good general health and have realistic expectations.
Less ideal if: your concern is a stretched or torn earlobe alone, which usually needs a different type of repair, if health conditions make elective surgery inadvisable, or for young children whose ear cartilage has not yet developed enough — timing is assessed individually.
Suitability can only be confirmed by a qualified clinician after assessing you, which is why every plan begins with a free, personalised review rather than a fixed promise.
Benefits & risks
A balanced view matters more than a sales pitch. Weigh both sides and discuss them with a clinician before deciding.
Potential benefits
- Sets back prominent ears so they sit closer to the head and in better proportion with the face
- Can improve symmetry when one ear protrudes more than the other
- Incisions are placed behind the ear, where scars are usually inconspicuous
- Often performed as a day-case procedure, under local anaesthetic in adults
- May help reduce self-consciousness about the appearance of the ears, for adults and children alike
- Results are typically long-lasting once healing is complete
Risks & considerations
- Bleeding or a collection of blood under the skin (haematoma)
- Infection of the wound or, rarely, of the ear cartilage itself
- Thickened, raised or keloid scarring behind the ear
- Asymmetry between the ears, or over- or under-correction of the protrusion
- Numbness or altered sensation of the ears, usually temporary
- Internal stitches loosening or poking through the skin, and recurrence of protrusion that may need revision surgery
Am I a candidate?
- Your ears protrude noticeably or feel out of proportion with your face
- One ear sits differently from the other and the asymmetry bothers you
- For a child, the ear cartilage is sufficiently developed, usually from around the age of five, and the child themselves wants the change
- You are in good general health and a non-smoker, or willing to stop before surgery
- You have realistic expectations about the change in shape and position that surgery can achieve
Only a qualified clinician can confirm suitability after a personal assessment.
Process & recovery
Otoplasty is usually performed under local anaesthetic in adults and under general anaesthetic in younger children, and typically takes one to two hours for both ears as a day-case or short-stay procedure. The surgeon works through an incision behind the ear, reshaping or stitching the cartilage into a less prominent position. A head bandage is worn for the first days, then a supportive headband as advised, and most people return to routine within one to two weeks. Risks include bleeding, infection, scarring behind the ear, asymmetry, numbness and, occasionally, recurrence of protrusion needing revision. The treating surgeon will discuss these with you before you decide.
What is otoplasty?
Otoplasty — also known as ear pinning, ear correction surgery or pinnaplasty — is an operation that reshapes the cartilage of the outer ear to set prominent ears closer to the head, or to correct differences in shape and position between the two ears. Ears usually protrude because the natural fold of the outer ear (the antihelical fold) has not formed fully, because the bowl of cartilage next to the ear canal (the concha) is deeper or larger than average, or a combination of both. Otoplasty addresses these underlying cartilage shapes rather than simply pulling the ear back.
It helps to be clear about what the surgery does and does not involve. Otoplasty changes the position and shape of the outer ear only; it does not involve the ear canal or the structures of hearing. For newborn babies, soft splinting in the first weeks of life can sometimes reshape a folded or prominent ear without surgery, so parents of very young infants are usually advised to explore that option first. Surgical correction is generally considered from around the age of five, once the outer ear is close to its adult size.
How otoplasty works
On the day of surgery, otoplasty is usually performed under local anaesthetic in adults and older children, while general anaesthetic is normally recommended for younger children. Treating both ears typically takes one to two hours. The surgeon makes an incision in the crease behind the ear, exposes the cartilage and reshapes it into a less prominent position before closing the incision with fine stitches. A padded head bandage is applied to protect the ears and hold their new position while early healing begins.
Several techniques are in common use, and many operations combine elements of more than one:
| Technique | Approach | Typically suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Suture (cartilage-sparing) | Permanent internal stitches fold the cartilage to create or deepen the antihelical fold | Softer, more flexible cartilage |
| Cartilage scoring | The cartilage is scored or partly reshaped so it bends and holds a new position | Firmer cartilage or more pronounced protrusion |
| Conchal setback | The deep bowl of cartilage is reduced or repositioned closer to the head | Ears that protrude mainly because of a large or deep conchal bowl |
The treating surgeon examines the shape of each ear individually and explains which combination they recommend, where the scar will sit and what the operation can realistically achieve for you.
Recovery: what to expect
Recovery varies from person to person, but a general pattern looks like this:
| Timeframe | What to expect |
|---|---|
| First 48 hours | Head bandage in place; ears feel sore, tight and numb; rest with the head elevated |
| First 1–2 weeks | Bandage removed and replaced with a supportive headband; many people return to work or school towards the end of this period |
| Weeks 2–6 | Headband usually worn at night; swelling continues to settle; swimming and vigorous exercise are still paused as advised |
| 1–3 months and beyond | Residual swelling resolves and numbness typically improves; contact sports are usually avoided for around three months |
Sleeping on your back, avoiding pressure on the ears and keeping the headband on as instructed all help protect the result in the early weeks. Report increasing pain, spreading redness or sudden swelling promptly, as these can be signs of infection or bleeding that need review.
Results and longevity
The change in ear position is visible as soon as the bandage comes off, and the final shape settles over several weeks to a few months as swelling resolves and the scars mature. For most people the result of otoplasty is long-lasting, although in a small number of cases the internal stitches can loosen and some protrusion may return, which occasionally leads to revision surgery. Complete symmetry is not a realistic aim — natural ears are rarely identical — but a well-planned otoplasty typically brings the ears into much better balance with the face. You can see examples of typical outcomes in our before and after gallery.
Having otoplasty in Türkiye
We are a facilitator, not a hospital: we coordinate your otoplasty at accredited, Ministry of Health–authorised partner hospitals in Türkiye and connect you with the treating surgeon, who assesses your suitability and performs the operation. Your journey typically begins with a free online consultation and photo assessment, followed by a personalised, no-obligation treatment plan setting out the recommended technique, the length of stay and what your all-inclusive package covers. Airport transfers, accommodation and interpreter support are arranged for you, so language is not a barrier at any stage of your care.
Because otoplasty is usually a day-case procedure, the stay in Türkiye is often shorter than for larger operations, and some patients choose to combine it with another facial procedure such as rhinoplasty — the treating surgeon advises whether combining is appropriate in your case. After you return to the UK, follow-up continues remotely: the care team reviews your healing photos and stays in touch throughout recovery. You can see how each stage fits together on our patient journey page, or request a free, no-obligation personalised plan to find out whether otoplasty is right for you.
Before & after
Frequently asked questions
Is otoplasty suitable for children? +
Otoplasty is one of the few cosmetic procedures commonly performed in childhood, usually from around the age of five, once the ear cartilage has developed sufficiently. Suitability and timing are always assessed individually, and it matters that the child themselves is bothered by their ears and understands the procedure. In younger children the operation is normally carried out under general anaesthetic.
Will otoplasty leave visible scars? +
Every otoplasty leaves a permanent scar, but the incision is placed in the natural crease behind the ear, so it is hidden from view in most cases. Scars typically fade considerably over several months, although some people are prone to thickened or keloid scarring, which is more common behind the ear. The treating surgeon will explain what to expect for your skin type.
How long is recovery after otoplasty? +
Most people return to work or school within one to two weeks of otoplasty, once the head bandage has been removed. A supportive headband is usually worn at night for several weeks to protect the ears while they heal, and swimming and contact sports are paused for longer, as advised by the treating surgeon. Recovery varies from person to person.
Is otoplasty painful? +
Otoplasty is performed under local or general anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during the operation itself. Afterwards the ears often feel sore, tender and numb for a week or two, which is typically managed well with simple prescribed pain relief. Discomfort usually eases steadily as the swelling settles.
How long does otoplasty surgery take? +
Otoplasty typically takes one to two hours when both ears are treated, which is the case for most patients. It is usually planned as a day-case or short-stay procedure, so many people leave hospital the same day once the treating team is happy with their recovery from the anaesthetic.
How long do I need to stay in Türkiye for otoplasty? +
Most patients stay in Türkiye for around five to seven days for otoplasty, allowing time for the face-to-face consultation, the surgery, removal of the head bandage and an initial follow-up check. Your personalised treatment plan will confirm the exact stay recommended in your case.
When can I fly home after otoplasty? +
Many people are cleared to fly home around five to seven days after otoplasty, once the treating surgeon has checked early healing and removed or replaced the dressing. The timing is always confirmed individually, so wait for your personalised plan before booking a return flight.
When will I see results after otoplasty? +
The new position of the ears is visible as soon as the head bandage is removed after otoplasty, usually within the first week, although some swelling is still present at that stage. The final result typically settles over several weeks to a few months as the swelling resolves and the scars begin to fade.