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Ear correction surgery, otoplasty and ear pinning.

A patient guide to otoplasty (pinnaplasty) - reshaping the outer ear to correct prominent ears in children from age six, and in adults, by a BAAPS or BAPRAS-registered consultant.

A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What private ear correction costs in London.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

£3,500–£5,500, home the same day.

Procedure Indicative range
Bilateral otoplasty under LA + sedation (adult) £3,500–£5,500
Bilateral otoplasty under GA (child) £4,000–£6,500
Unilateral otoplasty £2,500–£4,000
Revision otoplasty £4,500–£7,500
Ear Buddies (neonatal, non-surgical) £40–£120
Consultation only £200–£400

Prices vary by clinic, by which surgeon operates, by anaesthetic (LA + sedation vs GA), and by whether one or both ears are corrected.

The problem

The right surgeon, the right technique, the right time.

Ear correction is often booked by cosmetic clinics that treat every ear the same. A modern otoplasty is tailored - sutures where they will hold, scoring only where they will not.

  • Is it the right age?

    From six upwards for most children; earlier only where bullying or social pressure is real. The child themselves must want it.

  • Is it the right technique?

    Cartilage-sparing suture-only techniques where they will hold, scoring or reduction only where they will not. Not one-size-fits-all.

  • Is it the right surgeon?

    A BAAPS or BAPRAS-registered plastic or ENT consultant, in a proper theatre, with a real cooling-off period beforehand.

When it helps

When ear correction is the right step.

The presentations we see most, plus the one red flag that means an emergency rather than an appointment.

  • Prominent ears (bat ears)

    The commonest indication - ears that stand out from the head by more than about 2 cm, often with a missing antihelical fold.

  • Missing antihelical fold

    The natural Y-shaped fold in the cartilage never developed. Mustardé horizontal mattress sutures recreate it.

  • Deep conchal bowl

    A large conchal cartilage pushes the whole ear outwards. Furnas setback sutures - or conchal reduction - pull it in.

  • Cup ear or lop ear

    Congenital shape variants where the upper pole folds forward. Combined suture and cartilage work is usually needed.

  • Stahl’s ear

    A third crus of the antihelix distorts the upper ear into a pointed shape. Correction is possible but technically demanding.

  • Bullying or school concerns

    Where teasing is affecting confidence, surgery from age six is reasonable. The child’s own wish matters.

  • Adult otoplasty

    Same principles, mature cartilage. Slightly firmer sutures and sometimes more scoring - recovery is the same.

  • Red flag: haematoma after surgery

    A tense, painful, expanding swelling under the dressing in the first 24–48 hours is a surgical emergency - return to the clinic or A&E.

Techniques

One operation, several tools.

What each technique on the table actually involves - and how they combine for a natural, cartilage-sparing correction.

  • Mustardé sutures

    Permanent horizontal mattress sutures placed through the cartilage to create or reinforce the antihelical fold. Cartilage-sparing.

  • Furnas sutures

    Permanent sutures setting the conchal cartilage back to the mastoid periosteum - reduces the deep conchal bowl that pushes the ear out.

  • Anterior cartilage scoring (Chongchet / Stenström)

    Weakening the front of the cartilage so it curls backwards on its own. Used when suture-only techniques will not hold the fold.

  • Conchal cartilage reduction

    A crescent of concha is removed when setback alone is not enough. Reserved for the largest, deepest bowls.

  • Combined technique

    Mustardé plus Furnas - the workhorse combination for most prominent ears in the UK.

  • Adult otoplasty

    Same operation, mature cartilage. Cartilage-sparing where possible; occasional scoring for stubborn contours.

  • Revision otoplasty

    A repeat procedure for partial relapse, telephone-ear deformity, or asymmetry after previous surgery.

  • Ear Buddies (neonates)

    A non-surgical splint used in the first weeks of life while cartilage is soft - can avoid surgery entirely if started early.

Safety and recovery

What to expect afterwards - honestly.

Otoplasty is a well-established day-case operation. The things worth planning are the headband, the sport window, and what counts as an emergency.

  • Age matters - from six upwards

    Ears reach 90% of adult size by age five to six. Surgery is reasonable from six; earlier only in severe cases with clear bullying or functional impact.

  • LA + sedation, or GA

    Older children and adults tolerate LA with oral sedation well. Younger children need a GA - an anaesthetist is always present.

  • The headband is not optional

    A supportive band continuously for one to two weeks, then nights only for a further four. It protects the sutures while cartilage settles.

  • No contact sports for six weeks

    Rugby, football, judo, swimming with goggles - all wait six weeks. A blow to the ear in that window can undo the correction.

  • Haematoma is the urgent complication

    A tight, throbbing, expanding swelling under the dressing in the first 24–48 hours must be seen the same day - untreated it can cause chondritis and cauliflower ear.

  • Infection and chondritis

    Infection of the cartilage is rare but serious. Warmth, spreading redness or fever after day three needs urgent antibiotics.

  • Recurrence and over-correction

    A degree of partial relapse is common (5–10%). Over-correction produces the “telephone-ear” deformity - one reason cartilage-sparing techniques are preferred.

  • Keloid tendency

    Fitzpatrick skin types IV–VI have a higher keloid risk. The surgeon will discuss steroid injections, silicone and pressure therapy as prevention.

  • Red flags

    Tense expanding swelling, spreading redness, fever, protruding suture or heavy bleeding - call the clinic or A&E the same day.

Reading your operation note

Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever combination of techniques was used, the note the surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.

A UK consultant plastic surgeon reviewing a patient’s operation notes

A quiet reminder

Surgical language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.

If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Indication and technique agreed

    Prominent ears, missing antihelical fold, deep concha or a specific variant - and which combination of sutures and scoring was planned.

  2. 02 Technique

    Anaesthetic and surgical detail

    LA plus sedation or GA, incision (postauricular), Mustardé and Furnas sutures placed, any scoring or conchal reduction performed.

  3. 03 Findings

    Symmetry, contour and cartilage notes

    Intra-operative comment on symmetry, contour, cartilage strength and any adjustments to the initial plan.

  4. 04 Impression

    Headband regime and review timing

    Read this first: how long the headband, when to return, restrictions on sport and swimming, and what to watch for.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Cover for otoplasty varies by insurer. Prominent-ear correction is usually treated as cosmetic and self-pay in adults; some paediatric cases with clear functional or psychological impact are considered.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about ear correction.

Quick answers on age, technique, cost, recovery and the difference between otoplasty and pinnaplasty.

  • From what age can a child have ear correction surgery?

    Usually from age six upwards, once the ears have reached about 90% of adult size. Earlier surgery is considered where severe prominence is causing clear bullying or affecting school life - but only if the child themselves wants it.

  • What is the difference between otoplasty and pinnaplasty?

    They are the same operation. “Otoplasty” is the international term; “pinnaplasty” (or “ear pinning”) is the older British name. Both describe reshaping the outer ear to correct prominence or shape.

  • How is the operation done?

    Through a small incision behind the ear. Permanent Mustardé sutures create the antihelical fold, Furnas sutures set the conchal cartilage back to the mastoid, and occasionally the cartilage is gently scored on the front to help it curl. Modern practice favours cartilage-sparing suture-only techniques where they will hold.

  • What does recovery look like?

    A supportive headband is worn continuously for one to two weeks, then at night for a further four weeks. Contact sports and swimming with goggles wait six weeks. Bruising and swelling settle over two to three weeks; the final result appears at three to six months.

  • How much does private ear correction surgery cost in London?

    Roughly £3,500–£5,500 for adult bilateral otoplasty under LA and sedation, and £4,000–£6,500 for children under GA. Unilateral surgery is less, revision otoplasty more.

  • Are there non-surgical alternatives?

    In neonates, Ear Buddies splints can reshape soft newborn cartilage in the first weeks of life. In adults, cartilage is mature and non-surgical options like thread lifts have very limited evidence. For older children and adults, surgery is the reliable option.

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