What is an Otoplasty?
Anyone who grew up with protruding ears has most likely experienced teasing or unkind comments from others about their ears. Even as an adult, those with prominent ears may feel self-conscious, trying to hide their ears beneath hats, scarves, or hair. Otoplasty, or ear pinning, is a plastic surgery procedure that can reshape and restructure the ear so that it is positioned closer to the side of the head.
Otoplasty can be performed in various ways to correct protruding ears. The type of surgical alteration depends on the extent of the protrusion, the size of the ear, and other factors. Ears that turn out can be “pinned” closer to the head with simple surgery to reduce their prominence, while other ears may require tissue and cartilage removal or ear reshaping to improve overall ear aesthetics.