Ear Pinning Sydney

Otoplasty – commonly known as ear correction or ear pinning – is a surgical procedure designed to set prominent ears closer to the head, to improve their overall shape, or to reduce their size.

Ear Pinning Sydney

Otoplasty – commonly known as ear correction or ear pinning – is a surgical procedure designed to set prominent ears closer to the head, to improve their overall shape, or to reduce their size.

Prominent ears or ‘bat ears’ can exist in a myriad of forms, including cup ear, shell ear, bat ear, and lop ear. Many candidates suffering from these conditions attempt to camouflage the deformity with hairstyling.

What concerns may ear pinning help to address?

It’s important to remember that every individual is unique and so too are their needs and desired outcomes for cosmetic surgery. If you’re considering a procedure, it’s essential to have a comprehensive consultation with one of our experienced surgeons. They can help you understand whether you’re a suitable candidate and what you can realistically expect from the surgery. The information provided here is meant to help guide you, but it’s not a replacement for professional medical advice. Always organise a consultation for personalised advice.

If you are concerned about the way you look or are thinking about cosmetic surgery for confidence reasons, there are alternatives. Talking to a counsellor or psychologist may help you overcome your concerns about your appearance.

Reduce Ear Protrusion: Ear pinning surgery can potentially reduce the degree of protrusion of the ears from the head.

Enhance Facial Symmetry: The procedure can potentially improve symmetry between the two ears for a more balanced facial aesthetic.

Correct Deformities: Ear pinning surgery can address deformities or irregularities, such as overly large or prominent ears.

Reshape the Ears: This procedure can potentially reshape the contours of the ears for a more aesthetically pleasing look.

Alter Ear Size: In some cases, ear pinning surgery may reduce the size of overly large ears.

Correct Previous Surgery: This procedure can correct unsatisfactory results from previous ear surgery.

Address Congenital Conditions: Ear pinning surgery can potentially correct congenital conditions, such as cryptotia, where the upper rim of the ear is hidden and appears to be buried beneath the side of the head.

Post-Trauma Restoration: In cases of injury or trauma to the ear, this surgery can help restore the ear to its original shape and position.

What to expect

Consultation

The first step in the otoplasty process is an in-depth consultation with our skilled surgeon. During this session, your aesthetic goals, medical history, and current ear structure will be assessed. The surgeon will examine your ear size, shape, position, and symmetry. This consultation is a valuable opportunity for you to discuss any concerns or ask any questions you may have about the procedure.

Important Information about Consultations and Consent

Number and type of consultation

It is a requirement under the law, that a patient seeking cosmetic surgery must have at least two pre-operative consultations. The patient’s first consultation must be with the medical practitioner who will perform the surgery or another registered health practitioner who works with the medical practitioner who will perform the surgery (not a patient advisor or an agent). At least one of the two consultations must be in person with the medical practitioner who will perform the surgery. Other consultations can be in person or by video.

When consent can be given

A patient must not be requested to sign consent forms at their first consultation and cannot consent to cosmetic surgery until they have had an in-person consultation with the medical practitioner who will perform the surgery. The decision to have the surgery (provision of informed consent) must be made at a consultation with the medical practitioner who will perform the procedure (in person or by video).

Cooling-off Period

There must be a cooling-off period of at least seven days after the patient has had two consultations and given informed consent (signed consent forms), before the surgery can be booked or a deposit paid.

Preparation

Once the surgical plan has been mutually agreed upon, you will receive specific instructions on how to prepare for your otoplasty. These may include dietary guidelines, advice on smoking and alcohol consumption, instructions about certain medications or supplements, and hair care recommendations.

Surgery

Otoplasty, also known as ear pinning surgery, typically takes one to two hours and is usually performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. The procedure involves making incisions behind the ears to hide any visible scarring. The surgeon reshapes the cartilage to achieve the desired position and angle, and the incisions are then closed with sutures.

Recovery

After the surgery, you’ll be monitored in a recovery room for a short period. Most patients can go home the same day, though occasionally an overnight hospital stay may be recommended. Swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort are normal but will begin to improve after a few days.

Most patients feel ready to return to non-strenuous daily activities within a few days, while more vigorous activities should be avoided for about a week. Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor your progress and ensure a smooth recovery.

The final results of your otoplasty will be noticeable within a few weeks once the swelling has completely subsided, but the full effect may not be apparent for several months as the ears continue to heal and settle into their new position.

Surgery Time
1.5 to 2 hours

Hospital Time
Day stay with an option for overnight

Time off work
1 week

Cast Removal
Headband to be worn for 1 week full-time and for a month while sleeping

Showering
Can shower same day, however ears must stay dry

Exercise
4 to 6 weeks

Driving
24 hours after general anaesthetic and not while taking prescribed pain relief. We also recommend checking with your CTA insurer as to the post surgery exclusion period.

Travel
After 7 days for national and 2 weeks for international

Full Recovery
4 to 6 months for final results

Considerations Before Cosmetic Surgery

While we aim to provide accurate information about the different surgical procedures available, it’s important to understand that the content provided here serves as a general guide only. The specifics of each surgery, including the procedure detailed above, can and will vary significantly from person to person, depending on their unique circumstances and physical characteristics.

Undergoing cosmetic surgery is a serious decision that requires ample thought, careful consideration, and meticulous planning. It should never be taken lightly or treated trivially, as it can have profound impacts on one’s lifestyle and wellbeing.

Recovery from cosmetic surgery, too, requires time, support, and proper aftercare. We strive to present realistic and transparent information about the recovery process, but individual experiences may vary. It is typical for recovery to involve certain services or requirements, such as the use of compression garments or receiving therapeutic massages. It also often necessitates significant lifestyle changes, which may include a period of absence from employment and temporary restrictions on certain activities.

In light of these considerations, we strongly encourage potential patients to engage in comprehensive discussions with their GP and our surgeons. The goal is to fully understand the implications, requirements, and likely outcomes of any chosen procedure, and to make informed decisions about their health and aesthetics.

For more information on preparing for cosmetic surgery visit health.gov.au/cosmeticsurgery

General risks and complications of surgery include:

Substantial Hemorrhage: This involves severe blood loss from the area that underwent surgery, which may necessitate additional medical interventions.

Susceptibility to Infection: Post-surgery, the risk of infection can rise, potentially requiring either antibiotic treatment or subsequent surgical interventions.

Allergic Responses: Patients may exhibit allergic reactions to medical materials such as sutures, dressings, or antiseptic solutions used during and after the procedure.

Hematoma Formation: This involves the development of a sizable clot of blood beneath the incision site, which may necessitate medical drainage.

Post-Surgical Discomfort: Patients may experience pain, bruising, and swelling in the area surrounding the surgical site.

Scar Development: There's a risk of developing keloids or hypertrophic scars, which are elevated, red, and thickened scars over the healed incisions. Though they can be bothersome and aesthetically displeasing, they don't pose a direct health threat.

Delayed Healing Process: Healing can be sluggish, especially in patients with pre-existing conditions like diabetes or those who smoke.

Anaesthesia Risks: Patients may experience short-term nausea following general anaesthesia, along with other potential risks associated with anaesthesia.

Otoplasty risks and complications include:

Post-Surgical Pain: Following ear pinning surgery, also known as otoplasty, patients may experience significant discomfort or pain that requires effective pain management.

Risk of Infection: As with any surgical intervention, there's a potential for developing a postoperative infection, which may require further treatments.

Scarring: Despite efforts to minimize visibility, scarring is an inherent risk in any surgical procedure, including otoplasty. Some patients may develop noticeable scars.

Altered Sensation: Patients might experience changes in ear sensation, including temporary or permanent numbness or tingling.

Asymmetry: Despite a surgeon's best efforts, there's a risk that the surgery may result in an asymmetrical appearance of the ears.

Dissatisfactory Cosmetic Outcome: The aesthetic results of the surgery may not meet the patient's expectations, requiring further revision surgery.

Recurrence of Protrusion: In some cases, the ears may gradually return to their pre-surgical position over time, potentially requiring further surgery.

Meet Our Ear Surgery Surgeon

Dr Michael Zacharia

Cosmetic Surgeon & ENT Specialist

Combining the latest medical, surgical and health techniques, Dr Zacharia strives to deliver the best outcome for each and every one of his patients.

How Much Does Ear Surgery Cost?

Your personalised quote will be prepared following an in-depth evaluation by our expert surgeon. This includes a thorough assessment of your individual needs, detailed explanation of the procedure, and a tailored approach to best achieve the desired outcomes. The quote considers various elements including surgical supplies, hospital requirements, and the specifics of the surgery itself.

Potential rebates might be available if the procedure is deemed medically necessary by relevant health authorities. Conditions for this include providing evidence supporting the medical necessity of the surgery and a referral from a healthcare professional. Your private health insurance may also provide coverage, so it’s essential to discuss this with your provider.

FAQ

There are two main methods to ear surgery that can be performed:Otoplasty/ear surgery can be employed as either a cosmetic or reconstructive procedure. It can reduce large ears, reshape the cartilage in ears with unnatural shapes, reduce large or stretched earlobes, rebuild new ears for people born without lobes or after an injury, reduce large creases and wrinkles in the ear or increase the size of very small ears.Ear pinning surgery is one of the most commonly elected ear procedures, enabling the correction of ears that stick out by setting or ‘pinning’ them back closer to the head.

Adult candidates – whether male or female – are able to have elective ear surgery. The procedure can also be performed on children as young as two years of age. Children with severely prominent ears typically have the procedure early in life, between the ages of two and five. In children with less obvious deformities, it is common to delay the decision until the child reaches seven to ten years of age so that they may participate in the decision making process.It is important to note that children are not subject to any higher risks when undergoing this procedure than adults. In fact, firmer cartilage of fully developed adult ears does not provide the same moulding capacity as a child’s. Having the procedure at a young age when possible is highly desirable for two reasons:The cartilage is extremely pliable, thereby permitting greater ease of shaping The child will experience psychological benefits earlier from the cosmetic improvement Ideal candidates for Otoplasty should demonstrate good physical and mental health. Smokers are encouraged to quit several weeks before the procedure to avoid slow healing and potential post-procedure problems. It is also recommended that drinking alcohol is kept to a minimum before and after surgery, in order to avoid complications during surgery and reduce recovery time. Once a candidate’s suitability for Otoplasty has been determined, Dr. Zacharia will provide consultation to explain the proposed surgery and the variables that may affect the procedure.

Patients may feel some discomfort immediately after surgery, which can generally be controlled with pain medication. Total recovery times vary by individual, but each patient will have a post-op appointment scheduled for approximately seven days after surgery.After the procedure is completed, the patient will be admitted to recovery and monitored for several hours.

Ear Pinning Sydney