Face & Eyes

Otoplasty (Ear Reshaping)

at Cadogan Clinic, London’s Leading Cosmetic Surgery Specialists. 

Get in touch Download Factsheet

Award Winning Specialist Clinic

We've won 12 top industry awards since 2010 and regularly feature in the national and international press.

Industry Leading Consultants

We've invited only the very best consultants in the country to practice with us.

Care Quality Commission

Our Leadership has been rated Outstanding by the independent regulator of health and social care in England

GMC Registered Surgeons

All of our surgeons are registered with the General Medical Council.

Medically Reviewed 16 February 2024, by Mr. Bryan Mayou (GMC: 1414396) - founder of the Cadogan Clinic and one of the world's leading plastic surgeons

What is Otoplasty (Ear Reshaping)?

Ear reshaping surgery, also known as Otoplasty, Pinnaplasty and Ear Reduction Surgery, 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 the ears
  • Ear Reduction - to reduce the size of the ears
  • Ear Correction – to correct deformities caused at birth or by trauma (e.g. by piercing, surgery or cancer)

There are different ear shapes that span genetics, ethnicity, and other factors, so any reshaping surgery will adhere to your natural features in order to keep your results as natural as possible. As one of the leading otoplasty London surgical clinics, we endeavour to balance your safety with your desired results.

Get in touch

London ear reshaping can be used to treat many other ear deformities or abnormalities, such as to:

  • Reduce large or overstretched earlobes (caused by earrings or ‘ear stretching’)
  • Reshape cartilage ears that have an unnatural shape
  • Increase the size of a very small ear
  • Rebuild new ears, e.g. if born without an ear or earlobe
  • Smooth wrinkles or large creases
  • 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.

Otoplasty (Ear Reshaping)
At a glance

Surgery Time

1 hour

Time off work

A few days

Hospital Stay

Day Case

Shower

After 1 day

Reasonable Mobility

After a few hours

Exercise

After 2 weeks

Sexual Activity

2 - 4 weeks

Sleeping on back

2 - 4 weeks

Full Recovery

4 weeks

Driving

1 week


Before and after Otoplasty (Ear Reshaping)

Get in touch

Why do people have otoplasty surgery?

Why do people have it & Who is suittable

The ears are a prominent feature of the face and having the ears in the right size, shape and position can have a major impact on the overall balance and aesthetic impact of the facial appearance.

Benefits can include:

  • Improve the size, shape and position of the ear
  • Improve ear proportions and restore symmetry
  • Restore defective ear structure present at birth
  • Correct misshapen ears
  • Improve emotional wellbeing & self-esteem

Before and after ear pinning and reshaping can show beautiful results for patients.

Who is suitable?

Cadogan Clinic considers individuals fit for London otoplasty surgery if you meet the following criteria:

  • Prominent or protruding ears
  • Asymmetrical ears
  • Oversized or disproportionate ear size
  • Damaged or extended ear lobes 
  • Reduced self-esteem due to ear shape or size
  • Unsatisfying results from a previous ear pinning

Words from our clients:


The cost of an Otoplasty

Cadogan Clinic has collaborated with Chrysalis Finance to offer a variety of payment choices for our patients including:
12 months 0% Interest-free - APR
24 - 60 months at 12.9% APR
Flexible Finance

Get in touch now to an estime of your ear reshaping cost

Get in touch 0207 901 8500

Included in this treatment

Up to two 60 minute consultations with a leading specialist plastic surgeon at our award-winning premises in Chelsea

Your procedure carried out at London’s leading specialist cosmetic surgery centre of excellence

24/7 on call nurse assistance

Dedicated Patient Co-ordinator, as a personal point of contact through your journey with Cadogan

A pre-operative medical assessment to ensure you are fit for surgery

Comprehensive post-operative aftercare courtesy of our specialist cosmetic nurses


What are the options?

Otoplasty procedures are typically carried out under local anesthetic, but sometimes general. 

Otoplasty procedures are typically carried out under local anesthetic, but sometimes general. This depends on the scale and complexity of the surgery and patient preference.

Otoplasty is more commonly known as ear reshaping surgery, and refers to a range of common cosmetic surgery procedures designed to correct the size and shape of the ear and earlobe, improving function and appearance.

There are three main types of ear correction, including pinnaplasty, ear reduction and ear correction. Otoplasty can also treat other ear deformities or abnormalities, including:

  • Reducing large or over stretched earlobes 
  • Reshaping cartilage which gives the ears an unnatural shape
  • Increasing the size of a very small ear
  • Rebuilding new ears affected by birth deformities 
  • Smoothing wrinkles or large creases

Here we shall look at the three main types of otoplasty.

Pinnaplasty is a common procedure to pin back prominent, protruding ears. 

Common causes of sticking out ears include an underdeveloped antihelical fold, excessive cartilage in the concha or a combination of both. 

This straightforward procedure sees the surgeon make an incision (cut) at the back of the ear before removing some skin from the cartilage. This cartilage is reshaped so the ear sits closer to the head. The wound is closed with stitches and a dressing is applied to the area.

During pinnaplasty, a surgeon can also correct ears which are not evenly shaped on both sides (asymmetrical).

It is a straightforward procedure and helps to restore a patient’s self-confidence if they are self-conscious about the size, shape or prominent appearance of their ears.

Ear pinning surgery is usually completed in less than an hour.

Pinnaplasty is usually carried out on children and young teenagers, although adults can also undergo ear pinning surgery. Pinnaplasty can be performed on children as young as six years old.  This is often the ideal age to correct the ears as they have reached their adult size.

Ear pinning is not suitable for under fives as the ear cartilage is too soft to hold the stitches in place.

Ear reduction, as the name suggests, is a cosmetic procedure to reduce the size of the ears. Oversized ears, which are out of proportion with the rest of the face, can result in considerable anxiety and low self-esteem, which is why many people opt for this particular form of otoplasty.The medical term for disproportionally large ears is macrotia. 

In ear reduction surgery, the surgeon will remove excess skin and cartilage to reshape and reduce the size of the upper or lower half of the ear, or the whole ear. Ear reduction surgery can be used to reduce the height and width of the ear. Ear reduction will help make oversized ears smaller, restoring a balanced appearance to the face.

Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder of the nervous system, can leave ears enlarged and sitting in the wrong place on the side of the head. Some lymph tissue growths can also alter the size of the ear, resulting in the need for ear reduction.

London ear reduction surgery can also help with the problem of stretched earlobes, a common problem caused by the frequent wearing of heavy jewellery, or so-called skin tunnels, large holes in the lobes created as a form of body modification. 

Ear reduction surgery only focuses on the size of the ears. The procedure can be carried out alongside pinnaplasty if the ears are also protruding.

Ear reduction surgery delivers natural-looking results and can transform a patient’s self-confidence. This type of otoplasty can be performed on both adults and children.

Ear correction is the catch-all term used to describe surgery to correct deformities of the ear which have either been present from birth or caused by trauma.

Babies born with small or absent ears (microtia) will require ear correction surgery as the condition can affect their hearing. This can be done by using the child’s own tissue to reconstruct the ear, by placing a prosthetic framework under the skin or a prosthesis used above the skin.

Most ear-trauma injuries are caused by lacerations or biting, and such injuries require emergency treatment. The damaged ear is left to heal before reconstructive surgery is carried out. The techniques used are similar to those used to treat microtia.

‘Cauliflower ear’, caused by a pooling of blood in the outer ear, is a common ear problem which can benefit from ear correction surgery. If left untreated, the blood can become scarred and calcified, resulting in a thickened cauliflower ear. This condition is common among rugby players and boxers. A surgeon will treat a cauliflower ear by lifting the skin from the front of the ear, thinning out the thickened tissue to recreate the original shape of the ear.

A surgeon will have to carry out ear correction surgery in a case of skin cancer of the ear. This issue is dealt with by way of surgical excision and reconstruction.

Infections caused by ear piercings through the cartilage, such as a helix piercing, can cause a loss of ear structure. In some cases the surgeon may need to reconstruct the ear using cartilage taken from the ribs.


Otoplasty Surgeons

We have invited a selection of the country's very best consultants to join us at the Cadogan Clinic so that you can be sure that whatever the nature of your treatment, you will be seeing one of the top practitioners in the country.


What to expect

Below you will find some key information to help you prepare for surgery and make necessary arrangements to ensure you have the support you need and that everything runs smoothly on the day.

The first step for all of our otoplasty patients is to meet with the surgeon we feel is best placed to perform your procedure for a consultation. At the consultation you will be able to discuss with your surgeon what your hope to achieve from the procedure, as well as discuss in detail what may or may not be possible given your existing anatomy.

Your surgeon will take you through the options available to you, and which is the most preferential for you given your stated ambitions. Having established this, several key measurements will be made and standard clinical photography will be taken.

Some common questions to ask at your otoplasty consultation include:

  • How many procedures of this type have you performed?
  • Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
  • What technique will you use to get the best results?
  • Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for each procedure and what are reasonable results?
  • What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the outcome of my ear surgery?
  • Finally a comprehensive discussion regarding risks and complications will take place, alongside a discussion regarding what to expect in the post procedure and recovery phase. Your previous medical history will also be recorded (including previous surgery, medications, allergies etc.) and an assessment of your fitness for surgery.

If your surgeon feels you are a good candidate for surgery, you are then invited to consider whether you would like to proceed for surgery or otherwise following a two week 'cooling off' period.

Within this period you are welcome to come in and discuss your potential London ear reshaping surgery with your surgeon as many times as you like.

If you choose to proceed with surgery, the next time you come into the Clinic after your final consultation will be the day of your procedure. Before admission the following behavioural changes are recommended / required:

  • In the 6 weeks before your procedure we recommend smoking is discontinued as patients who smoke have a higher risk of healing more slowly and complications 
  • In the week before your procedure you must cease taking Aspirin or any medication that contains Aspirin
  • In the 6 hours prior to surgery you must not consume food or any drink, other than small sips of clear fluid (e.g. still water, black coffee, black tea) which are allowed up to 2 hours before admission

On the day of your procedure we ask that you arrive for your admission an hour before the agreed start time of surgery. At this point a nurse will come and record blood pressure and other relevant vitals, you will meet with your anaesthetist and your surgeon who will make the final mark-ups.

The procedure itself typically takes place under local anaesthetic over the course of one to two hours. First you will receive some anaesthesia in the ear region, then incisions will be made in several discrete areas, typically in the folds of the ear or on the back surface behind the ear.

Your surgeon will make a cut at the back of your ear and peel off some skin from the cartilage. They will change the shape of the cartilage so your ear lies closer to your head. If your ears are not symmetrical (evenly shaped on both sides) you surgeon may correct this as well. The technique they choose to use depends on the goals specific to your ear pinning procedure. After your surgeon reshapes the cartilage, they will secure it into its new position with permanent sutures. They will then close the wound discretely with stitches and apply a tight bandage around your head to stabilise the ears in their new position.

Any scarring should be well hidden behind the ear.

You should not feel much pain during the procedure, but you may have some for a few days or weeks afterwards. You'll be given painkillers if you need them.

Following the procedure, you will recover in our ambulatory recovery rooms for between one to two hours, dependent on the scale of the procedure. You will be wearing a head bandage to aid with your recovery.

Once our specialist nursing team are happy that your initial recovery is complete and you are safe to return home, you will be allowed to leave the Clinic accompanied by a friend or member of your family.

Once home you will have access to our dedicated on-call nursing team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This team of specialists are dedicated to your comfort and pain control, and are there to field any questions you may have in the immediate post operative phase.

We ask that you come in and see our nursing team 1 week after surgery to ensure your incision sites have been properly reviewed. At this juncture we also recommend you meet with one of our on site aestheticians to discuss ongoing treatment to support the healing and scarring process.

We ask that you come in to see your surgeon after 4 weeks for a final check up.

The Patient Journey. A breakdown of what you can expect on your journey with us

We are deeply invested in ensuring that every step of your surgical journey with us is as informative and reassuring to you as it can be. This article outlines what you can expect at each stage of the journey

The Patient Journey

Frequently Asked Questions

Surgery is typically performed under local anaesthetic, and can be completed in an hour or less.

There are many different techniques depending on whether your ear is being reshaped, resized or repositioned.

If your surgeon is aiming to pin your ears back closer to your head, your surgeon will start by making an incision along the crease-line behind your ear and remove any excess cartilage that is causing it to protrude. The ear is then pinned back along the fold to its new position, closer to the head.

Following the surgery, the area will be stitched up and a dressing wrapped around your head to support the cartilage in its new place.

Ear reshaping surgery is carried out under local anaesthetic, meaning you will not feel any pain during the procedure itself.

There will be minimal pain or discomfort in the days after the surgery, but this can be controlled using over-the-counter painkillers. The stitches may come to the surface of the skin which may make the ear feel tender. Any pain or discomfort should have disappeared by two weeks post-surgery. You will be fully recovered from your ear reshaping procedure by four weeks.

It is vital that you follow all the aftercare instructions issued by your surgeon. Failure to do so may hamper the healing process.

Ear shaping results are permanent, so long as you follow the post-surgery care instructions issued by your surgeon, such as wearing a head bandage for several days if required  to help your ears heal in their new position.

You should see results from your surgery almost immediately, but typically we recommend waiting for between one and two weeks to allow any bruising or swelling to subside, before you can expect to see your full results. You should expect a full recovery from otoplasty by four weeks.

We regard the healing cartilage like a healing bone and need to splint the ear in its new position as it heals.

We therefore provide all patients with a head bandage after surgery that must be worn for between 5 – 7 days.

If the surgery does not involve the cartilage, then a head bandage is not a requirement and the stitches can be masked with simple tape.

There is very little downtime after ear reshaping surgery.

We recommend you take a week off work, during which time you will need to wear a head bandage day and night to support the wound.

Your ears may be a little bruised and swollen during this time, and you will need to keep wearing the bandage support at night for at least 3 weeks.

Any discomfort is easily managed with painkillers, and normal washing and bathing is possible within a week.

You should make a full recovery anywhere between 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.

The most common place for an otoplasty scar is behind the ear. Although some scarring is inevitable, our skilled surgeons make the required incisions in the natural folds and lines of the ears, meaning these scars will not be visible. The scars will fade naturally over time.

Occasionally the scars become raised and pink in colour (hypertrophic), but this will settle over the following months. Patients who have undergone otoplasty may develop keloid scars. This is more common in people with darker skin. But it is rare to develop this type of scar after ear reshaping surgery.

Otoplasty and Pinnaplasty are two technical names that are used interchangeably to reference cosmetic ear reshaping surgery.

You will need to wear a headband for 5 to 7 days to ensure your ears are maintained in the correct position post-surgery, and for up to a month at night after surgery whilst you are sleeping.

You can therefore expect to be wearing your glasses after 3 weeks after surgery, but can take longer. You should therefore consider buying prescription contact lenses for this time period.

It is extremely unlikely that an otoplasty procedure will negatively affect your hearing. Ear pinning will not improve your hearing either. 

The ear is made up of three parts: the outer ear (the pinna), the middle ear and the inner ear. All three parts contribute to hearing, but this is mainly down to the middle and inner ear. As otoplasty surgery only concerns the outer ear, it is very unlikely that surgery to this area will affect your hearing. 

Ear correction surgery may be possible on the NHS, particularly for children who need it for therapeutic (medical) reasons.

Cosmetic ear reshaping surgery is not possible on the NHS, except in very rare circumstances where severe psychological distress can be evidenced.

Although prominent or abnormal ears do not cause any hearing difficulties, they can be a source of bullying for children. It is therefore quite common for children to have an ear pinning.

Children should be 6 years of age or older since at this point the ears have fully matured. It is also preferable to wait for an age when a child is able to express their unhappiness with their appearance, and personally wish to have the position or shape of their ears corrected.

There are no differences in the surgical techniques used for children and adults, although children are more likely to have the procedure done under a general anaesthetic.

Yes, it is possible to get surgery to repair stretched ears and stretched earlobes. The success of the surgery depends on how much the earlobe has stretched out of its natural position. Stretched ears typically develop with the onset of age but wearing heavy ear jewellery for long periods of time can also cause stretching.

Ear surgery is a quick and effective procedure to reverse stretched ears and can be carried out within an hour.

Otoplasty is minor surgery and complications are typically those associated with such surgery. This can include:

  • Asymmetry
  • Bleeding and bruising is the most common risk and there is always some swelling. The purpose of the head bandage is to reduce this risk and speed healing.
  • Scarring - scars are typically behind the ear and not visible, but on occasions, these scars can become hypertrophic, that is raised and pink, gradually resolving over some months, or even keloid with scars that continue to grow to the point where they may become visible. We can mitigate this with the Cadogan Clinic scar treatment
  • Infection and necrosis (loss of tissue)
  • Numbness
  • Re-protrusion
  • Stiffness of the ear

Ear augmentation is a procedure to enlarge small ears. This particular type of otoplasty can help to rectify asymmetry of the ears.

Ear augmentation will require synthetic or autologous implants. When a synthetic implant is used, it is covered with a skin graft. The autologous method involves using the patient’s own cartilage, taken from the ribs, which will eventually fuse with the ear. This method is less likely to result in rejection.

Ear augmentation is used to treat microtia, a defect present from birth in which the patient has an abnormally small or malformed ear. This condition can vary in severity. 

Ear augmentation is also used to treat a condition called constricted ear, otherwise known as a cupped or lop ear, in which the top rim of the ear is folded over. This condition is caused by a shortage of skin, cartilage or sometimes both.

Ear augmentation surgery is typically carried out on children. The method used depends on the age of the child. Book a consultation with one of our expert surgeons to discuss the available options.


A state of the art, award winning clinic.

Founded in 2004 by world renowned plastic surgeon Mr Bryan Mayou, we now work with over 100 leading consultants and successfully treat over 20,000 patients each year. We have been winning industry awards since inception.

About Us

Best in Class Facilities

All of our treatments take place at our beautiful boutique premises in Chelsea. We have six consulting rooms and five operating rooms, as well as a dedicated pre and post-operative suite, and a full team of specialist nursing staff.

Our Clinic

A Strong Tradition of Innovation

We were founded in 2004 by world renown plastic surgeon Mr Bryan Mayou, best known for his pioneering work in the area of liposuction, lasers and microvascular surgery. We continue to collaborate with pioneers in our field.

Our History

At Home in Sloane Street, London

We are proud that our state of the art award-winning clinic is located in one of the best neighbourhoods in the country

Welcome to Sloane Street

Clinics Nationwide

We offer surgical consultations in London, Birmingham, Chelmsford and Bristol, and attract international patients from all corners of the globe such as as the USA, the Middle East and Europe.

Get in Touch

What are the risks?

Complications are rare although, as with all surgery, possible. Your surgeon will discuss each of these risks comprehensively at your consultation. As experienced otoplasty UK surgeons and surgical partners, we have performed these procedures countless times and will always continue to prioritise our patients' health and safety, both physically and psychologically.


Face & Eyes

Related Treatments

We believe in the delivery of excellent outcomes and results, and exceptional levels of service. Our outcomes are natural and long-lasting, and we remain the premier choice for cosmetic surgery treatments in the UK.



Trustpilot

Laurel Wreath for Awards

2023

Aesthetic Awards

Highly Commended Best Clinic in London

Laurel Wreath for Awards
Laurel Wreath for Awards

2021

Aesthetics Awards

Highly Commended

Laurel Wreath for Awards
Laurel Wreath for Awards

2021

My Face My Body

Best Clinic Winner

Laurel Wreath for Awards
Laurel Wreath for Awards

2020

My Face My Body

Best Clinic Winner

Laurel Wreath for Awards
Laurel Wreath for Awards

2019

My Face My Body

Winner

Laurel Wreath for Awards
Laurel Wreath for Awards

2018

My Face My Body

Highly Commended

Laurel Wreath for Awards
Laurel Wreath for Awards

2018

Aesthetics Awards

Highly Commended

Laurel Wreath for Awards
Laurel Wreath for Awards

2017

Aesthetics Awards

Winner

Laurel Wreath for Awards

0207 901 8500

Get in touch