Treatments
Ear pinning in India
Quick answer
Otoplasty reshapes prominent ears so they sit closer to the head. The NHS notes it is not suitable for children younger than 5 and usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Plan a trip of 7 to 10 days so the bandage and stitches can be removed before you fly.
Medically reviewed by The Curaventa Team · Last updated 2026-10-24
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At a glance
Ears that stick out often lack a natural fold of cartilage or have a deep bowl. Surgery creates the fold and sets the ear back.
Cartilage is reshaped with stitches, scoring or a small removal, through a cut behind the ear. Both adults and children can have it; children usually wait until the ears are near adult size.
How this approach differs
Plan 7 to 10 days. The NHS says the bandage and stitches are removed after 5 to 10 days, and a headband is often worn at night for several weeks. Swimming is usually allowed after 4 to 6 weeks and contact sports around 8 weeks, so tell the surgeon about school sport. For children, both parents' consent documents and a calm recovery space are important.
Who needs ear pinning
- Prominent ears in adults or children aged 5 and over
- Asymmetric ears
- Teasing or self-consciousness
- Unhappy result from an earlier operation
How it is done
- Local anaesthetic for adults, general anaesthetic for most children
- A cut is made in the crease behind the ear
- Cartilage is scored, folded and held with permanent stitches
- Skin may be trimmed and closed
- A padded head bandage is applied
Before you travel to India
- Front and back photographs of both ears
- Child's school schedule for the 1 to 2 weeks off
- Night headband if not supplied
- Consent documents from both parents for a minor
Recovery and flying home
- Home the same day
- Ears ache for several days
- Most children return to school after 1 to 2 weeks
- Bruising for about two weeks
Risks
- Ears moving back out
- Asymmetry
- Visible stitches under the skin
- Thick scars or keloids behind the ear
Alternatives
- Ear splints in babies under 6 months
- Accepting the shape
Hospitals in India for ear pinning
- Medanta - The MedicityDelhi NCR
- Artemis HospitalDelhi NCR
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research InstituteMumbai
- Indraprastha Apollo HospitalsDelhi NCR
- BLK-Max Super Speciality HospitalDelhi NCR
- Continental HospitalsHyderabad
- Aster CMI HospitalBengaluru
- Apollo Health City, Jubilee HillsHyderabad
Specialists
Dr Aditya AggarwalMedanta - The Medicity, Gurugram
Dr Sunil ChoudharyMax Super Speciality Hospital, Saket- Prof V B Narayana MurthyKauvery Hospital, Alwarpet
Dr Arul Mozhi MangaiKauvery Hospital- Dr Sathish ManivelKauvery Hospital
Dr Vipul NandaFortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram
Frequently asked questions
What is the right age?
The NHS says not before 5, when ears have grown enough. Many families choose before secondary school.
Will the scar show?
It sits behind the ear in the crease and is rarely seen.
Does the headband need to stay on?
Usually at night for several weeks, to stop the ears folding forward during sleep.
Sources
Medically reviewed by The Curaventa Team. Last updated 2026-10-24. General information, not medical advice. Medical editorial board · Editorial policy · How we get prices
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