Otoplasty (Ear Pinning)

Procedure Snapshot

Otoplasty, can help correct overly protruding ears, restoring balance to facial features. Dr. Parker performs otoplasty in Paramus, NJ, for children and adults.

Cost & Recovery

  • Schedule your cosmetic consultation with Dr. Parker to get your personalized quote backed by our Price Guarantee.
  • Patients typically resume normal activity within 10 days

Quick Facts

  • Ear pinning can be performed as soon as the ears have finished developing, usually about age 5
  • Otoplasty can be performed using local anesthesia only, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia
  • The ears are not only brought closer to the head using permanent sutures but given an aesthetically attractive shape; the incision is hidden in the crease behind the ear**
  • 22,890 patients had otoplasty in 2018***

**Results may vary

***Statistical information listed here is drawn from 2018 ASAPS data

Otoplasty
 Before & After Photos

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Otoplasty Case 1247 Before & After Back | Paramus, NJ | Parker Center for Plastic Surgery
Before & After
Case: 1 of 8

Case #1247

This 22 year old asked Dr Parker to improve the appearance of her prominent ears, which has bothered her for some time. Dr. Parker subsequently performed an otoplasty on both ears. Under local anesthesia, using inconspicuous incisions behind both ears, he created an anti-helical fold and set the ears back with sutures giving the ears a normal... Read More
Otoplasty Case 1098 Before & After Front | Paramus, NJ | Parker Center for Plastic Surgery
Before & After
Case: 2 of 8

Case #1098

This 24 year old asked Dr. Parker to improve her protruding ears. Dr. Parker explained the anatomic reasons for the ears being protruding and how they could be corrected surgically. At surgery, which he performed under local anesthesia, Dr. Parker made inconspicuous incisions in the crease behind the patient’s ears. This allowed him to reshap... Read More
Otoplasty Case 897 Before & After View #4 | Paramus, NJ | Parker Center for Plastic Surgery
Before & After
Case: 3 of 8

Case #897

This 25 year old was referred to Dr. Parker by a former patient and asked him to improve the appearance of her prominent ears. Under local anesthesia, Dr. Parker performed an otoplasty on both ears. Using inconspicuous incisions behind both ears, he created an anti helical fold and set the ears back with sutures giving the ears a normal shape... Read More
Otoplasty Case 234 Before & After View #1 | Paramus, NJ | Parker Center for Plastic Surgery
Before & After
Case: 4 of 8

Case #234

This 28 year old asked for correction of her very prominent ears which had troubled her for many years. Under local anesthesia, Dr. Parker performed an otoplasty using incisions hidden behind the ears. This allowed him to insert sutures into the ear cartilage and create the desired shape. The patient recovered very quickly and was delighted w... Read More
Otoplasty Case 244 Before & After View #1 | Paramus, NJ | Parker Center for Plastic Surgery
Before & After
Case: 5 of 8

Case #244

This 11 year old, just starting middle school, presented to Dr. Parker with increasing concerns and sensitivity about her prominent ears. Dr. Parker discussed with the patient and her parents the relevant anatomy and what could be done to achieve the desired appearance of her ears. Subsequently at surgery, using hidden incisions in the crease... Read More
Otoplasty Case 247 Before & After View #2 | Paramus, NJ | Parker Center for Plastic Surgery
Before & After
Case: 6 of 8

Case #247

This 26 year old requested that Dr. Parker improve the appearance of her protruding ears which had bothered her for some time. Under local anesthesia, Dr. Parker performed an otoplasty using an incision carefully placed in the crease behind each ear. He corrected the shape of her ears by reducing the size of the concha and setting it back wit... Read More
Otoplasty Case 245 Before & After View #1 | Paramus, NJ | Parker Center for Plastic Surgery
Before & After
Case: 7 of 8

Case #245

This 7 year old was referred to Dr. Parker by another patient. Her mother noticed the prominence of her daughter’s ears early on but said nothing to her. Recently, some classmates have made comments to the patient upsetting her and prompting her visit to Dr. Parker. At the initial consultation, Dr. Parker explained the anatomical reasons for... Read More
Otoplasty Case 984 Before & After Back | Paramus, NJ | Parker Center for Plastic Surgery
Before & After
Case: 8 of 8

Case #984

This 18 year patient old requested Dr. Parker to correct her protruding ears which have bothered her for some time. During the patient’s consultation, Dr. Parker explained what an otoplasty procedure could do to improve the appearance of her ears. Subsequently, he performed this surgery under local anesthesia to re-shape her prominent ea... Read More

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

Parker Center for Plastic Surgery

Large, protruding, or overly prominent ears can make children and adults self-conscious about their appearance—and, in some cases, lead to bullying or an impact is socialization for young ones. Surgical correction is achieved with otoplasty in Paramus, New Jersey, an ear reshaping procedure designed to improve the shape, size, and projection of the ears to create a more normal appearance for children and adults from Ridgewood and throughout Bergen County, North New Jersey, and surrounding areas.

What Is Ear Reshaping Surgery?

Ear reshaping surgery is performed under purely local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on the surgical plan, the patient’s age, and the patient’s personal anxiety and comfort levels. Patients vary in their desire for these different methods to make them comfortable for the procedure, and Dr. Parker will discuss these options with the patient during the initial consultation.

Otoplasty can be performed on both adults and children. Adults with protruding ears will often seek surgical correction, and as long as the patient is in good health, there is no upper age limit to having otoplasty performed.

Should My Child Have Ear Reshaping Surgery?

Many parents wonder if moving forward with otoplasty is a good idea, or if they should wait until the child can be part of the decision-making process. Ultimately, the choice is entirely up to you. Dr. Parker routinely performs ears surgery on children at age 5 or 6, before they start schooling. At this age, the ears have almost fully developed, allowing surgery to be safely performed. In addition, the correction of prominent ears at this age can help reduce the psychological trauma from teasing classmates in school.

Dr. Paul Parker

Paul M. Parker, M.D., FACS

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Known for his surgical talent and caring personality, Dr. Parker has been serving the community for over 35 years. He has dedicated his practice to the education, safety, and comfort of his patients—making each one feel as important as family.

The Aesthetic Society; American Society of Plastic Surgeons; International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; The Rhinoplasty Society
The Aesthetic Society; American Society of Plastic Surgeons; International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; The Rhinoplasty Society

What Causes Protruding Ears?

Ear prominence results from a deficiency of the antihelical fold, excess concha, or both (see illustration). Dr. Parker will carefully evaluate the patient’s ears during their initial consultation with him. He will then review a personalized treatment plan.

Causes for Protruding Ears

Concerns corrected with otoplasty

How Is Otoplasty Performed?

An inconspicuous incision is made behind the ear, permitting Dr. Parker to bring the ear closer to the head, but as importantly, sculpt the ear cartilage into an aesthetically desirable shape. Specifically, he will create an antihelical fold with sutures as well as correct the excess concha.

His goal is to create an ideal contour of the ear when viewed from various angles:

  • From the front, helical rim visible beyond the antihelix.
  • From the side, the cartilage should appear natural, smooth and round.
  • From behind, helical rim should appear straight.

Overall, the contour of the ear should appear pleasing to the eye with the various components blending well with one another.

Dr. Parker uses permanent sutures to shape the ear cartilage. He the closes the incision hidden in the crease behind the ear with dissolvable sutures. A soft dressing is then placed on the ears and secured with what looks like a soft football helmut—it is comfortable and supports the ears for the first few days.

Surgery lasts roughly 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Our Signature

Rapid Recovery Program

Our surgical procedures, anesthesia, medications, and aftercare are tailored to minimize post-operative discomfort and accelerate recuperation.

Learn More

How Long Is Ear Pinning Recovery?

Recovery from otoplasty is usually straightforward with virtually no pain. The head dressing is removed in the office around 4-5 days after surgery. Bruising usually resolves within 10 days, while residual swelling gets progressively better over the next several weeks. We will walk you through the steps of subsequent recovery which will vary based on the age of the patient.

Dr. Parker and his team have many years of experience working with pediatric patients and is happy to collaborate with parents to ensure their child feels confident and secure come surgery day. It’s important that your child understands what recovery will look like so there are no surprises.

Before & After Otoplasty

Young girl before and after otoplasty
This patient, age 7, had otoplasty to reshape protruding ears. Dr. Parker performed the surgery using inconspicuous incisions in the crease behind the patient’s ears.

Before & After Otoplasty

Otoplasty New Jersey Image

Your Otoplasty Consultation & Imaging Session

Consultation with computer imaging

Consultations at the Parker Center are special. Dr. Parker will spend extra time with you, ensuring that he understands your goals and that you are fully educated about each potential solution. Additionally, our imaging expert will help you see the possibilities with digital photo imaging to show you what you will look like after otoplasty surgery. Patients who are comparing providers often tell us our consults are the most thorough and informative they’ve ever experienced!

Otoplasty procedures at the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery can also be combined with rhinoplastyneck contouring, and chin implants.