Otoplasty, AKA ear pinning, reshapes one or both of the ears. Cosmetic ear surgery can include a reduction of the ears/earlobes and the removal of excess cartilage and skin. Otoplasty is typically performed on children ages 4-14 and adults who did not have the surgery as a child to make the ears less prominent or misshapen. Otoplasty cuts out the cartilage or folds and stitches the cartilage rather than cutting it. Either way, the surgeon makes a small cut at the back of the ear to access the cartilage. Otoplasty can reshape one, or both, ears which is known as bilateral otoplasty. Ear reduction surgery removes unwanted skin and cartilage to make a smaller and more natural look.
