PROCEDURE
Prominent Ear Correction
(Otoplasty / pinnaplasty)
Prominent ears, whether from genetics, trauma, or prior surgical outcomes, can sometimes draw unwanted attention and leave you feeling disheartened regarding your appearance. And while this is rarely about hearing function, it can have a significant emotional impact on your sef worth and at times quality of life. Otoplasty surgery, also known as ear pinning surgery or pinnaplasty, offers a considered, permanent solution to reshape and reposition the ears, restoring facial balance and, often, confidence
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Otoplasty Surgery in London
This procedure is about more than simply setting ears closer to the head. It addresses size, proportion, symmetry, and sometimes even past surgical concerns in the instance of unsatisfactory results. Whether it’s macrotia (overly large ears), misshaped cartilage, or asymmetry that’s difficult to ignore, otoplasty in London with Kshem Yapa is designed with subtlety, precision, and individual nuance in mind.
At a glance
Procedure Length:
Typically, 2-3 hours.
Day Case:
No overnight stay is required.
Anaesthesia:
May be performed under local or general anaesthesia.
Downtime:
Typically, 1-2 weeks.
Showering:
Can be resumed 48 hours post-procedure, taking care to avoid getting the ears wet.
Sleeping:
Elevation of the head and sleeping on the back are recommended for the initial recovery period.
Make-Up:
Should be avoided near the incisions until they are healed, typically 1-2 weeks post-surgery.
Driving:
Refrain from driving for at least 48 hours or while taking pain medication.
Smoking:
Avoid smoking at least 2 weeks before and after the procedure.
Direct Sun Exposure:
Use a high SPF and wear a hat/cover incisions for the first few weeks.
Restoring Harmony Through Subtle Refinement
During otoplasty surgery, the internal cartilage is reshaped and gently repositioned using fine, long-lasting sutures. Incisions are carefully placed, most often hidden behind the ear or within natural folds, allowing the ear to settle into its new, natural position without drawing attention. Dissolvable sutures are also used to reinforce the skin and will eventually disappear naturally.
Unlike some cosmetic procedures that shift and fade over time, ear pinning surgery typically delivers results that are long-term, if not permanent. Ear pinning in all cases aims to restore symmetry, soften angles, and help patients feel more at ease in their appearance.
Choosing Mr Kshem Yapa for Prominent Ear Correction
Mr Kshem Yapa is a London-based consultant plastic surgeon known for his honest, aesthetic-led approach to facial harmony. For patients considering otoplasty in London, his approach is grounded in subtlety and realism, enhancing the ear’s natural proportions without creating the overly “pinned-back” look.
With decades of experience in reconstructive and aesthetic facial surgery, Mr Yapa’s methodical yet personalised treatment process is what allows each patient to achieve results that feel like a better version of themselves, rather than a different one entirely. You can see here how previous patients have described working with Kshem Yapa.
Is Otoplasty Right for You?
The best candidates for prominent ear correction are patients in good overall health, with fully developed cartilage (usually over the age of five), and with realistic expectations about their results. If you’ve found yourself distracted or disheartened by the way your ears appear in photos, or experienced a long-term desire for less prominent appearing ears, ear pinning surgery.
During your consultation, Mr Yapa will assess your health, anatomy, discuss your concerns, and provide a clear recommendation which may include alternative or complementary procedures where appropriate.
Benefits of a Prominent Ear Correction
An otoplasty procedure can bring many benefits. Understanding these key benefits can help you get to terms with what an otoplasty can bring, and it can allow you to set realistic expectations for the results you may see. Here are several principal advantages of undergoing prominent ear correction or otoplasty:
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Correction of Prominent Ears:
Otoplasty allows for the adjustment of ears that extend beyond the common 25° to 35° angle from the head, reducing the appearance of “sticking out”. This means that the ears can be subtly “flattened” and repositioned in a way that promotes symmetry and produces a more aesthetically pleasing look.
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Enhance Your Self-Confidence:
Enhance Your Self-Confidence: There is a recognised connection between self-confidence and satisfaction with physical appearance. You or your child can experience a significant boost in self-esteem and comfort in the way you look following a prominent ear correction.
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Natural Facial Appearance:
Otoplasty enables the reshaping and resizing of ears, providing a solution for issues like abnormally small or large ears, or ears that appear folded or cupped. The main fold in the ear can be recreated if absent or less well formed.
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Lasting Results:
The results of otoplasty are permanent, ensuring that the aesthetic changes achieved during the typically one to two-hour procedure will provide lasting benefits.
Surgical Techniques Used in Otoplasty
The surgical approach taken for ear pinning surgery can vary based on the individual’s unique anatomy and desired outcomes. Several key techniques have been developed and refined over the years to achieve the best possible results. Below are the most commonly employed surgical techniques in otoplasty:
This technique is used to adjust the fold just inside the rim of the ear. By modifying the antihelical fold, surgeons can reduce the prominence of ears that ‘stick out’ too far from the head.
Addressing the conchal cartilage, which is the largest and deepest concavity of the external ear, can change the ear’s angle relative to the side of the head. This technique might involve removing or reshaping a part of the cartilage to achieve the desired look.
In some cases, the earlobe may also require adjustment. This might involve resizing or repositioning the earlobe to align with the rest of the ear.
To secure and maintain the new shape of the ear, long-lasting sutures are typically placed within the ear. These sutures offer long-term results, ensuring the ear maintains its new shape.
Surgeons will usually make incisions on the back surface of the ear.
Occasionally, excess skin might be removed from the back of the ear to complement the reshaped cartilage and ensure a smooth, natural appearance.
Otoplasty Procedure Steps
Mr Kshem Yapa performs all procedures in a sterile surgical environment, prioritising patient safety and adherence to rigorous medical standards. Below are the primary steps involved in an otoplasty procedure.
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Anaesthesia
The choice of anaesthesia, whether local with intravenous sedation or general, is determined during your initial consultation and administered just before your surgery. The purpose of the anaesthetic is to make sure you’re comfortable during the procedure.
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Creating the Incision
Starting off, a precise incision is made, typically on the back of the ear to minimise visible scarring. Mr Kshem Yapa will then apply multiple surgical techniques to reshape the ear, such as altering the antihelical fold and possibly reducing the conchal cartilage. If front ear incisions are required, they are often concealed within the ear’s natural folds to reduce the risk of any visible scars forming. Stable, internal sutures are utilised to hold the newly formed cartilage in position.
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Securing the Incisions
Once the reshaping is complete, external stitches are used to close the incisions, employing techniques that ensure the natural aesthetics of the ear are preserved and do not appear unnaturally “pinned back”.
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Results
The benefits of otoplasty are visible soon after the procedure, especially once the initial dressings are removed. Your ears will be set closer to your head, and any scars will be discretely located behind the ear or within its natural creases.
Prominent Ear Correction Risks and Complications
All surgical procedures, despite thorough planning and skilful execution, carry some degree of risk. Mr Kshem Yapa prioritises patient safety and minimisation of complications through a meticulous approach and by following health and safety precautions, but it’s important to note that the probability of risk of complications cannot be reduced to zero. Below are examples of the possible risks and complications that can occur:
A rare but treatable complication, typically managed with antibiotics.
Occasionally, blood may collect in the ear, requiring drainage and potentially extending the recovery period.
An infrequent issue where the ear is too closely aligned to the head, potentially requiring further intervention.
The ears may not be pulled back sufficiently, occasionally necessitating additional minor procedures for optimisation.
Sutures, especially those that are long lasting, may become visible or protrude over time, and might need removal.
Over the years, the natural elasticity of ear cartilage can cause a shift back towards its original position.
Rarely, outcomes may not fully align with patient expectations, and further surgical adjustment might be discussed.
Combining Procedures
For some patients, otoplasty surgery in London may be combined with other facial procedures should you seek a more comprehensive transformation. For example, patients may consider a simultaneous rhinoplasty to tweak the shape of a prominent nose, or perhaps a chin augmentation to create a complete balance and harmony to the face shape. These options will be discussed in detail during your consultation, where safety and suitability are always prioritised.
Otoplasty Recovery
Following your otoplasty in London, you may feel some pain and tenderness immediately after which is entirely normal. Mr Kshem Yapa may apply a long-acting anaesthetic to minimise pain and discomfort for an initial period of 3 to 5 hours to help. Subsequent pain, typically mild and significantly reduced after the first day, can be managed effectively with prescribed pain medication.
A bulky dressing will be secured in place for the initial 3 days post-operation to keep gentle compression around your ear. Though some individuals find this dressing somewhat bothersome, understand that it’s important to facilitate healing.
You may be asked to wear a ski band or a similar supportive bandage during sleep for the first 1-2 months following the surgery to prevent your ear from folding back.
Any bruising or discolouration that typically occurs after surgery should disappear within 10 days, and you’ll find you are able to return to work approximately a week after the procedure, depending on how you heal and what your job is.
24-Hour Support Team
You will be provided with a direct phone line to our experienced specialist cosmetic surgery nurse who provides an on call service 24 hrs a day, from the moment you have surgery, for any questions or concerns you may have or any other support you may need. We take pride in making sure our patients are well looked after following surgery and want you to feel well supported throughout your journey with us.
Prominent Ear Correction FAQs
The appeal of ear-pinning surgery lies in its ability to achieve permanent results. This is because once the ear cartilage has been reshaped and secured with internal sutures, the ear will golf its new shape and position reliability with a minute risk of moving its position. Unlike non-surgical procedures, which may need repeat treatments, the structural nature of ear pinning surgery means that revision is rarely necessary.
It is however important to note that as we age, the natural elasticity of the cartilage may cause slight changes, such as moving position and presenting different skin textures. Rest assured that these are all natural processes that are presented as we all age, and it’s unlikely that your ear will return to its original positioning. Mr Yapa will always aim to prevent the need for revision by using precise techniques and spending time during consultation to understand your goals.
The majority of previous ear-pinning surgery patients report a tightness and dull ache feeling post-operation, rather than a distinct pain. This understandably focuses on the ears and sides of the head and can be managed with prescribed pain medication as prescribed or recommended by your otoplasty surgeon. Typically pain relief will only be required in the first few days following surgery.
You may notice a feeling of pressure or mild throbbing, especially when lying down or changing position. This is entirely normal and tends to ease as swelling subsides. Keeping your head elevated while resting or sleeping will help minimise this.
Temporary numbness in the ears is also common and can last several weeks as the nerves gradually recover. Your post-surgery care plan will detail exactly how to manage these sensations, and you will have access to our 24-hour on-call support should you need reassurance.
This is a concern many patients share, and rightly so. The goal of otoplasty at Yapa Plastic Surgery is not to draw attention to the ears, but rather to restore balance to the face to achieve a more harmonious and attractive appearance. Mr Yapa’s surgical approach focuses on subtlety and symmetry, with careful attention paid to avoiding the overly “tight” or “pulled” appearance.
Mr Yapa uses internal sutures which will not be visible to the naked eye, in addition to natural contouring techniques to enhance or recreate the antihelical fold, and ultimately reduce prominence in a way that complements your features. During your consultation, Mr Yapa will show you examples of previous ear correction cases and discuss your ideal outcome in detail, ensuring the final result feels true to your dream results.
Recovering from ear pinning surgery is just as crucial as the surgery itself within your transformational journey. On average, patients return to day-to-day activities within 7-10 days. The entirety of this time should be dedicated to recovery, therefore time from work and strenuous responsibilities must be put on hold or redistributed well in advance of your surgery date. Mild bruising, swelling, and discolouration are expected and typically subside within 7 to 14 days.
The initial bulky dressing applied after surgery is usually removed after 3 days, and from there, many patients switch to a supportive headband worn primarily during sleep for 4–6 weeks. This helps maintain the new ear shape and protects the area during early healing. Final results whereby the fully refined shape, symmetry, and any swelling resolved, usually become clear between 8 to 12 weeks post-op. Your recovery plan will be tailored to your lifestyle and needs and outlined in the surgical plan curated by Kshem Yapa following your consultation.
