Concierge plastic surgery · London
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.
Why patients choose us
- 01
BAAPS or BAPRAS-registered surgeon
A named plastic or ENT consultant on the BAAPS or BAPRAS register — not a cosmetic clinician working outside their specialty.
- 02
Cartilage-sparing where possible
Modern suture-only techniques (Mustardé, Furnas) before cartilage scoring. Less trauma, softer contour, quicker recovery.
- 03
A proper cooling-off period
For adults and older children the RCS Cosmetic Practice Standards apply — a two-week reflection window before consent, always.
Indicative pricing
What private ear correction costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
Adult bilateral otoplasty in our network: £3,500–£5,500, home the same day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bilateral otoplasty under LA + sedation (adult) | £3,500–£5,500 | 1–2 hours | Same day |
| Bilateral otoplasty under GA (child) | £4,000–£6,500 | 1–2 hours | Same day |
| Unilateral otoplasty | £2,500–£4,000 | 45–75 min | Same day |
| Revision otoplasty | £4,500–£7,500 | 1.5–2 hours | Same day |
| Ear Buddies (neonatal, non-surgical) | £40–£120 | At home | Weeks 0–6 |
| Consultation only | £200–£400 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by which surgeon operates, by anaesthetic (LA + sedation vs GA), and by whether one or both ears are corrected. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
The journey
From enquiry to recovery — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to review — including the headband and cooling-off window.
Phase 1 · Before your procedure
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
A few hours at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
Confidential enquiry
A short form. Age of the patient, what bothers them, any school or social pressure, past ear surgery.
- 02
Before
Consultation and age-appropriate discussion
For children, the surgeon speaks with the child directly — the child must want it too. For adults, a frank discussion of goals and limits.
- 03
Before
Cooling-off period
Two weeks minimum for adults and Gillick-competent children. No decision on the day of consultation, and no pressure.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the clinic
Consent, marking, and a chat with the anaesthetist. LA plus oral sedation for older children and adults; GA for younger children.
- 05
On the day
The operation itself
One to two hours. Mustardé sutures create the antihelical fold; Furnas sutures set back the concha; cartilage scoring only if the fold will not hold.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
A supportive head bandage, written aftercare and painkillers. Day-case discharge within a few hours.
- 07
After
Headband, review and full recovery
Headband continuously for one to two weeks, then nights only for four weeks. No contact sports for six. Review at one and six weeks.
Typical end-to-end: 3–4 weeks from enquiry to surgery. Full healing: 3–6 months.
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.
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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.
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Missing antihelical fold
The natural Y-shaped fold in the cartilage never developed. Mustardé horizontal mattress sutures recreate it.
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Deep conchal bowl
A large conchal cartilage pushes the whole ear outwards. Furnas setback sutures — or conchal reduction — pull it in.
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Cup ear or lop ear
Congenital shape variants where the upper pole folds forward. Combined suture and cartilage work is usually needed.
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Stahl’s ear
A third crus of the antihelix distorts the upper ear into a pointed shape. Correction is possible but technically demanding.
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Bullying or school concerns
Where teasing is affecting confidence, surgery from age six is reasonable. The child’s own wish matters.
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Adult otoplasty
Same principles, mature cartilage. Slightly firmer sutures and sometimes more scoring — recovery is the same.
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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.
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Mustardé sutures
Permanent horizontal mattress sutures placed through the cartilage to create or reinforce the antihelical fold. Cartilage-sparing.
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Furnas sutures
Permanent sutures setting the conchal cartilage back to the mastoid periosteum — reduces the deep conchal bowl that pushes the ear out.
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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.
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Conchal cartilage reduction
A crescent of concha is removed when setback alone is not enough. Reserved for the largest, deepest bowls.
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Combined technique
Mustardé plus Furnas — the workhorse combination for most prominent ears in the UK.
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Adult otoplasty
Same operation, mature cartilage. Cartilage-sparing where possible; occasional scoring for stubborn contours.
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Revision otoplasty
A repeat procedure for partial relapse, telephone-ear deformity, or asymmetry after previous surgery.
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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.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of surgeons, we picked them.
BAAPS or BAPRAS-registered plastic and ENT consultants across central and greater London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every surgeon in our network.
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BAAPS or BAPRAS-registered plastic or ENT consultant surgeons
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RCS Cosmetic Practice Standards — including a two-week cooling-off period
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Cartilage-sparing suture techniques preferred where possible
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Age-appropriate consent — the child is spoken to directly, not just the parent
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.
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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.
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LA + sedation, or GA
Older children and adults tolerate LA with oral sedation well. Younger children need a GA — an anaesthetist is always present.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Infection and chondritis
Infection of the cartilage is rare but serious. Warmth, spreading redness or fever after day three needs urgent antibiotics.
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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.
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Keloid tendency
Fitzpatrick skin types IV–VI have a higher keloid risk. The surgeon will discuss steroid injections, silicone and pressure therapy as prevention.
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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 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.
- 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.
- 02 Technique
Anaesthetic and surgical detail
LA plus sedation or GA, incision (postauricular), Mustardé and Furnas sutures placed, any scoring or conchal reduction performed.
- 03 Findings
Symmetry, contour and cartilage notes
Intra-operative comment on symmetry, contour, cartilage strength and any adjustments to the initial plan.
- 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
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. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about ear correction.
Quick answers on age, technique, cost, recovery and the difference between otoplasty and pinnaplasty.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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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.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Ear Buddies — early correction
Non-surgical ear reshaping in the first weeks of life.
Learn more -
Ear reconstruction
Reconstruction for microtia, trauma or cancer.
Learn more -
Earlobe reduction surgery
Reshaping enlarged, stretched or torn earlobes.
Learn more -
All tests & procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more
Nearby in the library