Your otoplasty surgery

Otoplasty, or ear pinning surgery, usually takes New York plastic surgeon Dr. Zevon about two to three hours to complete, although complicated procedures may take longer. The technique will depend on the problem.

With one of the more common techniques, Dr. Zevon makes a small incision in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage. He will then sculpt the cartilage and bend it back toward the head. Non-removable stitches may be used to help maintain the new shape. Occasionally, Dr. Zevon will remove a larger piece of cartilage to provide a more natural-looking fold when the surgery is complete.

Another technique involves a similar incision in the back of the ear. Skin is removed and stitches are used to fold the cartilage back on itself to reshape the ear without removing cartilage.

In most cases, ear surgery will leave a faint scar in the back of the ear that will fade with time. Even when only one ear appears to protrude, surgery is usually performed on both ears for a better balance.