Ear reshaping, also known as Otoplasty, refers to a range of common cosmetic surgery procedures designed to correct the size and shape of the ear and earlobe.
Typical procedures include pinnaplasty (to pin back ears), ear reduction (to reduce the size of the ears) as well as the correction of a range of ear deformities either apparent at birth (easily corrected by moulding the ear as it grows, a technique invented by one of our Cadogan Surgeons) or acquired later in life through trauma, piercing, surgery or cancer.
Ear surgery can be used to treat many other ear deformities such as; reshaping cartilage ears that have an unnatural shape, reducing overly large ears and reducing large earlobes or earlobes that have been overstretched (by wearing earrings, or as a result of ‘ear stretching’, also known as gauging).
You are also able to have otoplasty to increase the size of a very small ear, or even rebuild new ears if you were born without an ear or earlobe. It’s even possible to reduce the formation of wrinkles or large creases found on ears, that could, in turn, increase your self-confidence.

Many people who dislike the shape or size of their ears develop habits to mask the problem (e.g. wearing their hair long, wearing baseball hats or headbands to cover their ears, etc.), often being unaware of the quick, safe and effective solutions provided by surgery.
Otoplasty surgery can be performed on children as young as age 6, as their ears may still be growing and developing. Otoplasty is a safe and effective surgery that can improve the function and appearance of the ear, as well as improving the patients’ self-image.
An ear reshaping surgery will be performed by one of our plastic surgeons, usually under anaesthetic, and only involves minor pain in the 24-72 hours following the procedure. The surgery is complete in 1-2 hours and you will be allowed home immediately following the surgery.
The typical otoplasty procedure generally involves the surgeon making an incision hidden behind the ear, where the ear meets the head in its natural fold, therefore exposing the cartilage. The surgeon will score and stich the cartilage to form the desired shape. The completed result is a more attractive ear.
The recovery time for this type of surgery is generally quick. You can expect to be back to your regular daily routine within 1-2 weeks following the procedure, and able to go swimming after just 4 weeks, or play contact sports after 12 weeks. There are very few side effects involved with ear reshaping surgery, and it’s very common to have a small scar behind the ear, or slight bruising and tenderness that will fade in time.
For anyone unhappy with the shape or size of their ears, ear reshaping surgery may provide an effective solution, offering both physical benefits, and in many cases, psychological benefits and improving your confidence levels.