Pinnaplasty: Ear Correction Surgery

Pre and post surgery information

Depending on the severity of the case the procedure takes between 1-2 hours in theatre under local anaesthetic with IV sedation. The surgeon will expose the cartilage behind the ear and contour it according to the desired outcome whilst bringing it closer to the head to adjust any prominence.

After your procedure you will experience some swelling and pain associated with this. Over the counter analgesics such as ibuprofen / paracetamol can be used to alleviate this. You will be required to wear a headband for approximately 1-week post-surgery. Your surgeon will advise you to avoid taking part in sports or high intensity activities for two to three weeks. It is also recommended to take one week off work in order to rest and allow your ear swelling to heal. You will also have a small scar behind your ear/ears which will be red to begin with but fade over time until it is very faint and unnoticeable. Scar management advice will be given to you post-operatively to enable you to get the best result with your scar. It takes approximately 6 weeks for you to see the full effects of your surgery.

Potential Complications

As with all surgery no matter how invasive, there are risks. There is of course the uncommon risk of infection post-operatively which can be treated by antibiotics. Bleeding again is an uncommon risk associated with all types of surgery, in the case of ear correction surgery, bleeding would be minor. The ears can feel numb or tingly for some weeks. The scar behind the ears normally fades and becomes unnoticeable, in some cases the scar could become raised and red, again this is treatable. Finally, it is important to remember that surgery to correct ear asymmetries cannot produce a perfect outcome nor is perfection normal in natural ear shape and symmetry. The goal is a marked improvement.