What Is Ear Pinning and How Does It Differ from Other Otoplasty Surgeries?
Otoplasty is a procedure that changes the shape, size or position of the ears. It is consistently one of the most in-demand forms of cosmetic surgery among UK adults. If you’re unhappy with your ears for any reason, otoplasty can enhance ear appearance, improve facial balance and symmetry, and give you a new-found confidence.
Otoplasty is commonly confused with ear pinning surgery, but they both refer to slightly different things. Otoplasty is a general term for any type of cosmetic ear surgery. Ear pinning (pinnaplasty), on the other hand, refers specifically to the pinning back of protruding ears to give them a more natural position against the side of the head.
In this article, we discuss the differences between pinnaplasty vs otoplasty, what ear pinning surgery involves and the other types of ear correction surgery you can have.
What is ear pinning?
Ear pinning surgery, or pinnaplasty, is performed on patients who are unhappy with their ears’ prominence. The procedure permanently draws the ears closer to the head, making them look more proportionate and giving the face a more balanced appearance. Ear pinning is performed by a cosmetic surgeon and is sometimes funded by the NHS for children but not usually for adults.
Having protruding ears can make people feel self-conscious and become a source of deep dissatisfaction, potentially even leading to anxiety and depression. The procedure is common among children aged 5 and 6, but more adults are choosing to have ear pinning surgery due to the affordability of private treatments.
Ear pinning surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures among men, along with facelifts, liposuction and rhinoplasty (nose jobs). That’s due to its relative low cost, the dramatic impact it can have on their confidence and the fact it’s more difficult for men to cover protruding ears with their hair.
How ear pinning works: The procedure explained
The procedure itself is fairly straightforward and takes around an hour. It can be performed under general or local anaesthetic. If local anaesthetic is used, the patient may also be given a sedative.
During the procedure, the surgeon will make a small incision behind the ear to access the ear cartilage. They will then remove, reshape or fold the cartilage as necessary so the ears sit closer to the head. They can also correct an asymmetry to ensure both ears are equally shaped and prominent. They then use stitches to hold the cartilage in place before applying a sterile dressing and compression bandage.
Ear pinning surgery is typically a day-case procedure, which means you can return home the same day as having the treatment. The results are generally considered permanent as the cartilage in the ears has been reshaped or removed, so the ears cannot revert to their original position. That said, ageing can alter the appearance of the ears over time.
What to expect after ear pinning?
In the first three weeks following your procedure, you will have dressings and will be asked to attend wound care appointments to check how your incisions are healing and remove your dressings/sutures. It’s normal to experience swelling at this point and for your ears to feel numb or have localised pain. You will be able to see an improvement despite this. You may experience pain, which can be managed with paracetamol or ibuprofen. You can eat and drink normally and feel relatively active and well. It is usual for you to feel tightness. However, this is a temporary sensation. One side of your face may heal faster than the other, which is very normal.
After the first three weeks, you will feel less discomfort and should be able to return to everyday activities. Resting and closely following post-operative and garment guidance is still essential. Your swelling will be reduced, along with bruising. Your ears may still be slightly swollen and feel tender to the touch. After six weeks, this swelling should be significantly reduced. As long as you’ve fully healed, you should be able to begin reintroducing light exercise back into your routine. However, excessive exercise and heavy lifting should still be avoided. At this point, you should also regain sensation in your face, and the final results will begin to be visible whilst some swelling is still normal. Scars may still appear red at this point but should start to fade.
What are the benefits of ear pinning?
Ear pinning surgery is worth considering if you are unhappy or self-conscious about your protruding or prominent ears. The results are primarily cosmetic but it can also have a dramatic psychological impact by creating a path to renewed confidence and self-assurance.
The benefits of ear pinning include:
- Reduced ear prominence – The procedure brings the ears closer to the head to minimise ear protrusion and make them more proportionate with the rest of the face.
- Improved symmetry – By adjusting the position of both ears, the surgeon can enhance ear symmetry and improve facial balance.
- More focus on other features – Ear pining creates a more harmonious look, with the attention drawn from the ears to other facial features.
- Psychological impact – The psychological impact of this procedure can be massive, with patients no longer self-conscious and able to live their lives to the full.
- Minimal scarring – The incisions are small and usually hidden behind the ears, making them almost impossible to see.
Other types of otoplasty procedures
Otoplasty is any type of corrective ear surgery performed on the outer ear. Pinnaplasty (ear pinning) is one of those procedures, but otoplasty also includes ear reduction, ear augmentation, ear lobe reduction and ear lobe repair.
Ear reduction
Known as macrotia surgery, ear reduction makes large ears smaller. It can reduce the size of the ears at the lobes, higher poles or both. It is well suited to those who feel they have disproportionately large ears in proportion to their head.
Ear augmentation
This procedure is suited to those with smaller or undeveloped ears. It uses cartilage manipulation or grafts from other parts of the body to increase the ear’s volume and address deformities.
Ear lobe reduction
This is a procedure for individuals with oversized or excessively sagging ear lobes. Excess skin and tissue can be removed from the ear lobe to create a more balanced and proportionate look.
Ear lobe repair
Heavy earrings and injuries can lead to stretched or torn earlobes that may not be treated on the NHS. Ear lobes can be repaired using stitches or tissue grafts, and the recovery time is quick.
The risks of ear pinning and otoplasty
Ear pinning and otoplasty procedures are minimally invasive, so the risks are generally small. However, you should always discuss the risks with a qualified cosmetic surgeon before making a decision.
The most common risks include:
- Blood clots in the skin of the ear
- An infection in the incision
- Changes in the way the skin around the ear looks or feels
- Abnormal healing, such as keloid scars
- Allergic reaction to the anaesthetic
- Stiff ears that may take several months to become flexible
There’s also a risk that the results don’t match your expectations. For example, the ears may not be completely symmetrical or balanced. They may also look overly pinned back, which is known as an overcorrection. That could be due to changes during the healing process or an inexperienced surgeon. You may require follow-up surgery to correct these issues.
Given the risks, you should always choose a cosmetic clinic that provides comprehensive aftercare with every procedure. That ensures you’re covered for post-operative complications for up to 12 months.
Choosing the right otoplasty procedure
To choose the most appropriate otoplasty procedure, consider your specific aesthetic concerns and desired outcome. Researching before and after pictures can give you a realistic idea of the results you can achieve with each procedure.
Before choosing a surgeon, check their experience performing the specific otoplasty procedure you want and discuss your expectations and concerns with them. You should also ask to see the results of previous otoplasty procedures they have performed.
Safe, affordable and high-quality otoplasty at Enhance Medical
At Enhance Medical, we take the best possible care of you before, during and after your corrective ear surgery. Our surgeons have vast experience performing otoplasty for men and women at locations throughout the country. Book a free consultation to discuss how we can give you a balanced and natural ear appearance, or call us on 0800 060 8651 if you have any questions or would like more information.