Refined otoplasty surgery for naturally balanced ears
At Venus Medical, we have extensive experience delivering life-changing otoplasty (also known as pinnaplasty) results for men and women who are conscious of their ears. Our consultant plastic surgeon, Mr. Shadab Ahmad, performs the procedure under local anaesthesia so you can return home straight away.
Whether you call it ear pinning surgery, pinnaplasty or ototplasty, this artistic surgical technique reshapes a prominent ear so that it sits in a more normal proportion to the head. Our Dublin-based surgery team at Venus Medical employs advanced plastic surgery techniques to get beautiful, natural-looking results.
Why consider ear pinning at Venus Medical?
- Mr. Ahmad has extensive experience performing ear correction surgeries. He is sensitive and caring and understands how prominent ears can impact self-esteem and quality of life.
- Venus Medical is an award-winning aesthetic surgery clinic offering almost all facial plastic surgery procedures under local anaesthesia to facilitate a speedy and safe recovery
- Comprehensive aftercare in-clinic with transformative results documented using high-resolution photography
- Operating in our private clinic in Dundrum Office Park in South Dublin since 2005
- Free remote assessment and feedback with pricing to empower you. Simply start your journey to connect through MeTime
- Mr. Ahmad has extensive experience performing ear correction surgeries. He is sensitive and caring and understands how prominent ears can impact self-esteem and quality of life.
- Venus Medical is an award-winning aesthetic surgery clinic offering almost all facial plastic surgery procedures under local anaesthesia to facilitate a speedy and safe recovery
- Comprehensive aftercare in-clinic with transformative results documented using high-resolution photography
- Operating in our private clinic in Dundrum Office Park in South Dublin since 2005
- Free remote assessment and feedback with pricing to empower you. Simply start your journey to connect through MeTime
Benefits
- Comfortable under local anaesthesia
- All body areas treated without need for general anaesthesia
- Minimally invasive; needs hardly any recovery time
- Skin tightening effect of ultrasonic probes
- Usually no stitches required
- Toned body with tightened skin compared to traditional lipo
Who is a good candidate?
You may benefit from pinnaplasty or otoplasty if you:
- Have an outer ear that projects more than 2 cm from the temporal bone or lacks a defined antihelical fold.
- Experience teasing or selfconsciousness about a misshapen ear.
- Are in good health, with no active infections or coagulation disorders that could affect a surgical wound.
- Seek a lasting surgical correction rather than temporary adhesive tape or tissue molding devices.
Who is a good candidate?
You may benefit from pinnaplasty or otoplasty if you:
- Have an outer ear that projects more than 2 cm from the temporal bone or lacks a defined antihelical fold.
- Experience teasing or selfconsciousness about a misshapen ear.
- Are in good health, with no active infections or coagulation disorders that could affect a surgical wound.
- Seek a lasting surgical correction rather than temporary adhesive tape or tissue molding devices.
During consultation, we review your medical history and create a personalised treatment plan.
The otoplasty procedure
Anaesthesia
Most cases are performed under local anaesthesia with light oral sedation; there is no need for general anaesthesia in adults. A few quick numbing injections are made behind the ear.
Access incision
A discreet cut in the postauricular crease (behind the ear) exposes the cartilage framework while hiding the future scar in the posterior wall of the ear.
Cartilage sculpting
Techniques such as otoplastic praxis, suture splinting, scoring, or partial removal create a new support framework. Our techniques do not require rib cartilage or auricular pole grafts.
Suture placement
Permanent and absorbable sutures secure the new contour, respecting the orientation of the auricularis posterior muscle and protecting the auricular nerve.
Closure & dressing
The skin is closed with meticulous technique and a head bandage provides gentle compression—minimising haematoma and supporting the pillar effect while healing.
Otoplasty requires artistry and skill. Maneuvres such as Buch helical advancement or Mustardé mattress sutures for the upper pole and conchal wall and Furnas sutures for the concha angle are employed as required during ear correction surgery. Mr Ahmad tailors the otoplasty technique to each anatomy and for each face.
Recovery & aftercare
- A head garment with adhesive tape remains for 5-7 days, followed by a week of nighttime or sportsheadband to protect the external ear while sleeping. However, we will instruct you as recommendations may vary depending on your case.
- Most patients return to nonphysical work in 3–5 days.
- Avoid contact sports for four weeks to protect the delicate ear structure.
- Numbness along the temporal surface or mild bruising around the mastoid process is common and resolves in a few weeks.
We review you at regular intervals to monitor shape, scar quality, and conchal cup symmetry. Our goal is to ensure you are delighted with your new ear shape and position!
- A head garment with adhesive tape remains for 5-7 days, followed by a week of nighttime or sportsheadband to protect the external ear while sleeping. However, we will instruct you as recommendations may vary depending on your case.
- Most patients return to nonphysical work in 3–5 days.
- Avoid contact sports for four weeks to protect the delicate ear structure.
- Numbness along the temporal surface or mild bruising around the mastoid process is common and resolves in a few weeks.
We review you at regular intervals to monitor shape, scar quality, and conchal cup symmetry. Our goal is to ensure you are delighted with your new ear shape and position!
No. of sessions
1
Treatment time
1-3 hours
Recovery time
1-3 days
Area
Neck and jowls / Arms / Male chest / Tummy and flanks / Back and waist /Hips and thighs / Knees / Calves and ankles / Breast fat grafting
Results
Once swelling subsides you’ll notice a symmetrical reconstructed auricle that balances the face. Because cartilage settles gradually, your final natural proportion emerges around three months postop. Results are lifelong as long as the support framework remains intact.
Risks & safety
Complications are rare but can include haematoma, infection, recurrent prominence, or delayed skin healing. Our protocols safeguard the posterior auricular artery and blood supply, maintain meticulous sterility, and use atraumatic handling to protect ear muscle and external auditory canal.
Why VASER at Venus Medical?
- Over 18 years’ experience in performing liposuction and VASER body contouring.
- Consultant-led team recognised by leading international society bodies.
- Performed purely under local anaesthesia for rapid recovery.
- Exceptional results and all body areas treated from face to ankles.
- Thousands of procedures performed with industry-leading satisfaction rates.
- Designated VASER training centre for international doctors and surgeons to learn.
- Ireland’s pioneering VASER clinic, first VASER hi-def clinic and only clinic combining VASER with BodyTite
- Our team has published extensively on body sculpting for plastic surgeons
A really great experience from first consultation to procedure (neck and lower face lift), and aftercare. The nurses and Dr Shadab looked after me so well and l’m delighted with the results which have genuinely taken years off me.
A really great experience from first consultation to procedure (neck and lower face lift), and aftercare. The nurses and Dr Shadab looked after me so well and l’m delighted with the results which have genuinely taken years off me.
Having facial rejuvenation surgery is not a small thing. You want the best plastic surgeon for you: one who listens to exactly what you want, discusses all your options and explains the aftercare and what to expect. The best face lift clinic is a clinic that can show you before and after photo examples of their work, plastic surgery reviews and sees you regularly to ensure the best outcome.
At our award-winning clinic in Dublin, our surgeons will explain all of your options and the differences between a non surgical face lift, one stitch face lift, mini face lift and a full face lift. Call us today, book online, or submit photos for a preliminary assessment and we look forward to helping you achieve a beautiful result if you do decide to go ahead.
Otoplasty (Ear Pinning)
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The term otoplasty procedure encompasses all forms of ear surgery aimed at reshaping the external auricle—from traditional ear pinning to advanced cartilage grafting.
No. Most adults tolerate the operation comfortably with local anaesthesia. If you are even slightly anxious, we will make sure you receive some relaxing tablets beforehand so you don’t worry.
Usually the ear cartilage is 90 % of adult size at 6-7 years old. However, at Venus Medical we only operate on adults, 18 years and above.
The first few days is the hardest since a head garment must be worn. Simple analgesia is usually enough to control discomfort and you can return to work after 5-7 days if it is not too physical.
The majority regain full feeling as the auricular nerve recovers; minor rim numbness can persist but is usually insignificant.
Our goal is harmony, not overcorrection, making sure your ears look completely natural. We use anatomical landmarks like the superior crus and conchal angle to achieve a subtle, aesthetically pleasing projection.
No. We rely on your own autologous cartilage or precise suturing, avoiding foreign materials. With advanced techniques such as helical advancement and cartilagesplitting methods to recreate a smooth antihelical fold, reduce the conchal cup, and finetune the ear angle, synthetic implants are not usually necessary.
This is deemed an aesthetic procedure, although it can be considered necessary for psychological reasons. The medical card does not cover the cost nor does health insurance. For financing, we work with Humm if you wish to pay in instalments.
If you prefer to receive an assessment, including detailed costs, prior to coming into the clinic, we offer remote assessments for your convenience on the MeTime app. Get same-day recommendations and speak to one of our doctors. Simply start your journey from this page and you’ll be guided every step of the way.
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