Depending on the age of the patient and level of correction required, ear pinning may be performed either under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation, administered by one of our board certified anesthesiologists. An incision will typically be made in the back of the ear, allowing your surgeon to shape the cartilage and adjust size.
Ear pinning is an outpatient procedure and most patients recover quickly. There will be some swelling that will cause the ears to look larger temporarily. When you resume normal activity or return to work will depend on your comfort level with the appearance of your ears while your body is healing. The resulting scar is faint, inconspicuously located, and generally fades over time.