Home » Facial Aesthetics » Ear Pinning (Otoplasty)
With ear pinning surgery (otoplasty), your ears are brought into a natural position in harmony with your face. Dr. Hakki Izmirli corrects problems such as prominent ears, ear asymmetry, congenital deformities and torn earlobes through incisions hidden behind the ear, achieving natural-looking results.
“I am very pleased that he fully understood what we wanted and answered all our questions without hesitation.”
— N.B. · Google Review (translated from Turkish)
Prominent ears occur when the angle between the outer ear and the head is larger than normal, or when the ear folds (antihelix) have not fully developed, so the ear clearly sticks out. It can be congenital or develop after trauma, and it can affect self-confidence and social life in both children and adults.
Ear pinning surgery, medically known as otoplasty, corrects the shape, position and proportion of the ear. The ear cartilage is reshaped, the angle between the ear and the head is reduced and natural folds are recreated. Because the incision is made on the back of the ear, the scar is not visible from the outside.
Dr. Hakki Izmirli assesses your ear structure during the examination and creates a personal plan; the aim is not an “operated” look, but a natural result that looks as if your ears have always been this way.
Google Reviews
4.5 ★★★★★ · 44 reviews on Google · translated from Turkish
I had rhinoplasty with Dr. Hakki about 6 months ago. Although it was an operation I had put off for years, Dr. Hakki’s approach and reassuring manner overcame all my fears. I had almost no pain after surgery and hardly any bruising. His attentiveness, the way he treats patients and how he kept following up after surgery really give you great confidence. I recommend him wholeheartedly.
— Ş.A. ★★★★★ Google
If you want everything to be just right and to suit you, there are no better hands to trust than those of my dear doctor, Dr. Hakki. I am very grateful to him for giving me a new life, confidence and health.
— A.F. ★★★★★ Google
My endless thanks to Dr. Hakki Izmirli, who successfully performed the facelift I had because of a deformity in my face. Care, attention, kindness and success all come together in this wonderful team – I recommend you don’t hesitate to contact them.
— S.T. ★★★★★ Google
A good doctor who takes time for his patients and responds to their wishes while remaining professional. I felt I was in very safe hands and I am very happy with the results so far.
— M.A. ★★★★★ Google
Before the operation he understood my questions and concerns. After a successful operation I could reach him whenever I wanted and was always met with attention and warmth. I thank Dr. Hakki for the care, sincerity and kindness he showed both before and after surgery.
— Y.B.A. ★★★★★ Google
Ear pinning surgery is performed under local or general anaesthesia; general anaesthesia is usually preferred for children. An incision is made on the back of the ear, within the natural fold.
Through this incision the ear cartilage is reshaped and thinned if necessary; the angle between the ear and the head is reduced, new folds are created and fixed with stitches. The operation usually takes 1–2 hours and most patients go home the same day.
Mild pain, swelling and bruising may occur in the first days; the pain is easily controlled with simple painkillers. The first bandage is removed at the check-up 2 days after surgery, and hair can be washed after 3–4 days. A protective headband is then worn day and night for the first 3 weeks and only at night for the following 3 weeks.
Office workers and students usually return to work or school within 5–7 days; activities with a risk of a blow or pressure to the ear should be avoided for 4–6 weeks. Swelling decreases significantly in 2–3 weeks, and the final result appears within 3–4 months.
Yes. The goal is a natural result that makes it look as if your ears have always been this way. The ear is not pinned too tightly against the head, and the folds are shaped to match natural ear anatomy. Two ears are never exactly identical; the aim is balance and harmony between them.
The incision is made on the back of the ear, in the fold between the ear and the head, so no scar is visible from the front or the side. The scar may be red and slightly raised in the first weeks, fades within 6–12 months and becomes largely unnoticeable within 12–18 months.
The new position of the ears is noticeable as soon as the bandage is removed. Swelling decreases significantly within 2–3 weeks; full healing and the final result usually appear within 3–4 months.
The outer ear has largely completed its growth by around age 6, so in children the surgery can be done before they start school. In adults there is no age limit; it can be performed safely for anyone whose ears have finished growing and whose health is suitable.
The period before starting school is the ideal time, to prevent teasing and confidence problems at school. The decision should not be based only on the parents’ wishes – the child should also be willing. General anaesthesia is used in children; recovery is similar to adults and returning to school is usually possible within 1–2 weeks.
Prominent ears (an increased angle between the ear and the head), asymmetry between the two ears, lop ear where the upper part folds forward, larger-than-normal ears (macrotia), deformities after trauma, and torn or stretched earlobes caused by heavy earrings or injury can be corrected.
Because the cartilage is reshaped and secured with the right technique, it is very rare for the ear to return to its previous position. However, after a significant blow or if the stitches loosen, a minor correction may be needed.
In classic otoplasty, the ear cartilage is reshaped and the ear is brought closer to the head. In suitable patients, the ear position can be corrected with suture techniques through a smaller incision. Which technique is right is decided during the examination according to the cartilage structure and the degree of the deformity.
The operation takes about 1–2 hours on average. Most patients are discharged the same day; in some cases an overnight stay may be arranged for observation.
Yes, both ears are usually operated on in a single session. This completes recovery in one go and helps achieve symmetry at the same time. If only one ear is affected, one-sided surgery can also be performed.
The surgery is painless because it is performed under anaesthesia. There may be mild pain and tightness for the first 2–3 days, which is easily controlled with painkillers. Most patients find the pain much milder than they expected.
The first bandage is usually removed at the check-up 2 days after surgery. Hair can be washed after 3–4 days. A protective headband is worn day and night for the first 3 weeks, then only at night for the following 3 weeks.
Office workers and students can usually return to work or school within 5–7 days. For physically demanding jobs or sport, this may extend to 3–4 weeks. Activities with a risk of a blow or pressure to the ear should be avoided for 4–6 weeks.
Blood-thinning medication (such as aspirin or ibuprofen) should be stopped at least 2 weeks before surgery on your doctor’s advice, and smoking should be stopped 2–4 weeks before. If there is an active infection or skin problem around the ear, surgery is postponed. If general anaesthesia is planned, you should come to surgery with an empty stomach.
As with any surgery, there are risks such as infection, a collection of blood behind the ear (haematoma), suture reaction, asymmetry and, rarely, the ear angle widening again. With the right technique, proper care and an experienced surgeon, these risks are very low.
Once the incision has fully closed, usually from the second week, silicone gel or silicone tape can be used for at least 2 months. The scar area should be protected from direct sunlight for up to 12 months, with high-factor sunscreen if needed. Gentle scar massage softens the tissue; smoking, on the other hand, worsens scar quality.
Otoplasty is generally considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by most private health insurance. Deformities caused by trauma or anatomical problems affecting the ear canal may be partially covered; we recommend discussing your situation with your insurance company.
Yes, in suitable patients ear surgery can be planned in the same session as other facial operations such as eyelid surgery. This way, several areas are corrected with a single anaesthetic and a single recovery period.
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