BEST Ear Pinning (otoplasty) in Seattle & Bellevue
What are Prominent Ears?
Prominent ears arise from either excess ear cartilage or cartilage that didn’t develop with all of its normal folds. This leads to an ear that sticks out too far from the head. Unfortunately, it can be a major point of insecurity and some children get teased for their big ears. Many adults with prominent ears also feel insecure about their ear shape and may style their hair to cover their ears. Prominent ears are generally the result of how the ears naturally developed, not the result of an injury.
What is Ear Pinning?
Ear pinning, also known as otoplasty, is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of prominent ears. Ear pinning is a short procedure that can be done with the patient awake or under twilight anesthesia. A small incision is made behind the ear where it is hidden, and the natural ear cartilage folds are recreated and the ear is rotated backwards closer to the head and secured in its new place using sutures. Since the incision is hidden in the crease behind the ear, there are no visible scars.
Dr. Brian Scott performs ear pinning (otoplasty) for patients from Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish, Issaquah, Tacoma, Bellingham, Portland, and the surrounding areas in Oregon and Washington. Dr. Scott is a facial and ear plastic surgery specialist who is an expert at correcting protruding ears. Additional before & after photos are available for viewing in-office.
What is the recovery like after Ear Pinning?
Surgery is performed in our surgical suite. Patients will arrive the day of surgery and leave for home a few hours later. In general, an otoplasty is not very painful. Most patients use tylenol for pain control, but we also provide prescription pain medication in case something stronger is needed. Patients are able to walk around the day of surgery, but we ask them to avoid heavy exercise for two weeks. During the recovery period, patients are asked to wear a headband to protect the ears.
Patients can expect mild swelling and bruising which usually peaks a few days after surgery and then rapidly improves.
Who is a good candidate for ear pinning?
A good candidate for ear pinning has ears that stick out too far from the head. Patients should be overall healthy without serious heart or lung diseases. Both men and women can benefit from ear pinning. The surgery may be performed on adolescents or adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, ear pinning is not very painful. The ears will be completely numbed during the procedure so you will not experience any discomfort. After the procedure you can expect mild soreness to the ears.
In general, ear pinning is a safe procedure and most patients heal without issue. However no procedure is completely without risk. Some of the main risks of ear pinning include asymmetry, infection, and having the ears stick out again. Overall, complications are rare and most problems resolve completely with time.
Ear pinning can be performed under twilight anesthesia, with the patient completely asleep, or with the patient completely awake.
Prominent ears are the result of how the ears naturally developed, not the result of an injury. Once the ears have fully developed in childhood, prominent ears generally do not get better or worse naturally.
