Ear Pinning

Ear correction surgery (otoplasty) can improve ear position and shape, as well as balance, and restore a more aesthetically pleasing proportion. It may be an excellent option for people of various ages who are self-conscious about protruding or misshapen ears due to injury or structural defects. The otoplasty procedure can have a profoundly positive effect by significantly improving appearance and, in many cases, self-confidence. Otoplasty will not correct hearing.

Following surgery, you can expect swelling, pain, and discomfort that can be managed with rest and medication. Bandages or sterile dressings are applied to the incision sites and may be worn during healing. A wraparound head dressing or headband may help protect the ears. Patients undergoing otoplasty should avoid sleeping on their sides for several weeks and avoid strenuous activity for several weeks. Most patients resume work within a week and full regular routines after two weeks. Once bandages are removed, the improvement from ear surgery should be immediately noticeable, though final results may not be evident for a few weeks.

Most patients are happy with the results of ear correction surgery (otoplasty) and recover well with minimal difficulty. Although less common, some possible complications include numbness (usually temporary), infection, bleeding, hematoma, problems with anesthesia, unfavorable scarring, asymmetry, or recurrence of ear protrusion.

Incisions are strategically placed behind the ear, which minimizes the visibility of scarring. Patients usually have small, faint scars on the back of the ears that fade well with time.

In most cases, the results of otoplasty are lasting, provided the ears are adequately protected from trauma and injury during the healing process and after recovery. Rarely, a revision may be necessary if the correction doesn't hold.

Generally, contact sports, strenuous exercise, or other types of strenuous activity should be avoided for one or two months following surgery to prevent the risk of bending or trauma to the ears.

Otoplasty patients should wait until healing is complete and avoid swimming, crowded swimming pools, diving, water skiing, water sports, or similar activity for several (often 6-8) weeks to avoid the risk of trauma to the ear.