Otoplasty (ear pinning) in Istanbul

From about age 5. Before that, the cartilage is too soft to hold the stitches; by 5 the ear has reached about 80–90% of its adult size. There is no upper age limit, and many adults have the operation for themselves.

Often, if you start early. A soft mould worn for 4–6 weeks gives marked improvement in over 90% of suitable babies when begun in the first three weeks. The NHS says splints can be used before 6 months; after that the cartilage becomes too firm.

The bandage and any removable stitches come off between days 5 and 10, most people return to school or work after 1–2 weeks, and most are fully healed by 4–6 weeks. The ears can stay tender for a few weeks and feel stiff for months.

Usually for several weeks, mainly at night, so the ears do not fold forward on the pillow. Protocols vary: one common plan is continuous wear for 1–2 weeks, then a month at night only. Follow the schedule your surgeon gives you.

Yes, in a small number of people. A systematic review found recurrence or a further operation in about 5%, and a meta-analysis of cartilage-sparing techniques found 4.27%. Keeping the bandage on and wearing the headband as advised helps protect the result.

The ears ache and feel tender for a few days and usually stay sensitive for a few weeks. Paracetamol is generally enough. Pain that increases rather than eases in the first 1–3 days is a warning sign and should be checked straight away.

Not always. Young children usually have general anaesthesia; older children and adults can often have local anaesthesia, with or without sedation. Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker prefers general anaesthesia for young children, to spare them the stress of being awake in an operating theatre.

Yes, but it sits behind the ear, close to the crease where the ear meets the head, so it is usually well hidden and fades over months. About 3 in 100 people develop a thicker red scar, and keloid scars can occur.

For some ears. Without a skin incision, the cartilage is loosened with a needle and held with stitches beneath the skin, which tends to mean less pain and fewer wound problems. It does not suit strongly prominent ears, which need the standard approach.

Swimming is usually fine after 4–6 weeks and contact sport after about 8 weeks. Until then, protect the ears from knocks and rubbing. Gentle everyday activity can resume much sooner, once the bandage is off and healing is on track.

Once the bandage and any stitches have been removed, usually between days 5 and 10. Until then, the bandage must stay dry. Wash your hair the day before surgery; when you start again, wash gently and keep the crease behind the ear clean and dry afterwards.

For most people the change is long-lasting: the stitches and reshaped cartilage hold the ear in its new position. In a small number, around 4–5 in 100 in published studies, the ear moves partly back out or needs a further correction.

Plan on about 7 days after an operation under local anaesthesia, and 7–10 days for a child or after general anaesthesia. That allows a bandage check between days 5 and 10. ASPS advises waiting 7–10 days after facial surgery before flying.