Ear Pinning (Otoplasty) in Houston TX

Ear pinning surgery, or Otoplasty, is a safe and simple procedure, and one of the few cosmetic surgeries that may be safely performed on children and in fact, is frequently performed on thousands of children and teens yearly.

In most children, the shape of the ear is fully developed by about age 4, with the cartilage inside the ear becoming hard by about the age of 7 or 8.  The ideal time to perform ear pinning surgery on children is at around the age of 6 or 7, before the cartilage becomes hard, as this helps to keep the procedure as simple as possible.  Young children are also apt to heal more quickly from the procedure, because the cartilage inside the ear is still soft enough for the surgeon to manipulate it easily.  Otoplasty may also be performed safely on older children, as well as teens, and adults of any age.

Otoplasty is ideally suited for candidates who are in good overall health, have no contraindications to surgery, and have protruding or excessively large ears, ears that are asymmetrical, or ears that are somehow misshapen. Ideally, the procedure should be performed during childhood, at around the age of 6; however the procedure may still be performed safely on adults and older children.

Every procedure is unique because every patient is unique, but typically, ear pinning surgery or otoplasty is performed using an incision that is hidden in the natural crease behind the ear. Dr. Bachilo will use this incision to access the cartilage and skin tissue inside the ear, in order to reshape and sculpt the ears.  The procedure is relatively simple and takes about one hour per ear.

Every ear pinning or ear reshaping procedure is uniquely customized to each patient, so the cost may vary widely between patients.  While one patient may require a simple “ear pinning” another may require a complete re-sculpting of the ear to alter its size or shape. Typically, the cost of otoplasty may range between $4,000 and $7,000, depending on the extent of work done, but you may save money by combining your ear pinning surgery with other surgical procedures in the same surgical session.

Otoplasty is usually performed with “twilight” or local anesthesia, although in some cases, the doctor may elect to use general anesthesia.

The hairline incisions used in this procedure are normally hidden in the crease behind the ear, so they are not visible.  Additionally, the scars are very thin and will fade naturally over time, becoming virtually invisible.

Yes. Many patients choose to undergo a combination of cosmetic procedures in one surgical session in order to save on money and recovery time. At your intake consultation, you may discuss with Dr. Bachilo any other procedures that you may wish to combine with your ear pinning surgery.

Typical recovery after Otoplasty takes about one week, and you may experience some soreness, swelling and bruising during this period.  Fortunately, these symptoms may be managed with over-the-counter pain medication, and will naturally resolve themselves within a few days. You will need a ride home after the surgery, as you may still be groggy from the anesthesia, and you may wish to have some help around the house for a few days so you can rest and recover properly.  Immediately after the surgery, your ears will be bandaged with compression bandages that you must wear for several days to support the healing process and protect the ears from impact.  Dr. Bachilo may also advise that you wear a soft headband to protect your ears while sleeping.  After a week of rest, you may resume light activity, but you are advised to refrain from any strenuous exercise for a period of four to six weeks in order to allow ample healing time and avoid impact or injury to the ears.

Once the ears are pinned back and re-shaped, they will usually retain their shape for many years. Some changes may occur in some patients over time as a result of aging, and the skin around the ear may begin to sag, and in some cases this may alter the outcome of your surgery.