Mr Will Anderson
Consultant plastic surgeon
GMC 3679250
Ear correction in Edinburgh
Prominent ears can be corrected with an operation that reshapes the cartilage behind the ear, usually under local anaesthetic.
- Anaesthetic
- Local
- Length
- 1 to 2 hours
- Hospital stay
- Day case
- Recovery
- A few days off work
Guide pricefrom £4,500
- Consultant plastic surgeons on the GMC Specialist Register
- Surgery at Waterfront Private Hospital, regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland
- Your consultation and your operation with the same consultant
Contents
Is it right for me?
A good candidate for ear correction is bothered by ears that project noticeably from the head, has realistic expectations, and is in good general health. For split earlobe repair, the only requirement is a torn or stretched lobe that has finished healing.
- Prominent or asymmetric ears, often concealed with hair or headwear
- Torn or stretched earlobes from earrings or heavy jewellery
- Good general health and realistic expectations of what surgery can achieve
Because adult ear correction is usually performed under local anaesthetic, it suits patients who want to avoid general anaesthesia. Your consultant examines the cartilage at consultation and confirms which technique fits your anatomy.
Unsure? Try the free AI consultation, or ask at your appointment.
What ear correction involves
Ear correction surgery (otoplasty, also called pinnaplasty) reshapes the skin and cartilage behind the ear so that a prominent ear sits closer to the head. The operation usually takes one to two hours and, in adults, is generally carried out under local anaesthetic as a day case.
Stitches are used to remould the cartilage and hold the new position, and the scars sit hidden behind the ear. Split earlobe repair – for lobes torn by earrings or stretched by piercings – is performed in the same way as a short local anaesthetic procedure.
Surgery takes place at Waterfront Private Hospital in Edinburgh. It is performed by Mr Ken Stewart – president-elect of the International Society for Auricular Reconstruction and the first surgeon in Scotland to hold the Royal College of Surgeons certificate in all aspects of cosmetic surgery – and Mr Will Anderson, a consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register with over 15 years of NHS experience.
What ear correction can and can't do
Ear correction brings ears that stand out closer to the head. It aims for normal proportion, not flat ears, and we would rather you knew its limits now than found them out afterwards.
It can
- Bring ears that stand out closer to the side of the head, in proportion with your face.
- Reshape the ear cartilage so the ear has a more usual contour.
- Reduce a difference between the two ears, where one stands out more.
- Make it easier to wear your hair back, or to wear hats and helmets comfortably.
It can’t
- Pin your ears flat. The aim is normal proportion. Over-correction looks artificial and is hard to reverse.
- Make the two ears identical. Small differences between the sides are part of normal anatomy and remain after surgery.
- Promise the correction will never relax. In about 1 in 20 people part of the correction relaxes over time, and some choose a revision.
- Be reversed. Cartilage that has been reshaped cannot be returned to its original shape.
- Repair a split or stretched earlobe. That is a separate procedure, split earlobe repair, which can sometimes be done in the same session.
Your consultant will tell you at your consultation which of these apply to you.
What is the cost of ear correction?
Ear correction under local anaesthesia is £4,500 at Waterfront Private Hospital.
- Prominent ear correction (local anaesthesia): £4,500
- Split earlobe repair (one lobe): £1,100
- Split earlobe repair (both lobes): £1,950
Each price covers the surgeon’s fee, the hospital and theatre fee at Waterfront Private Hospital, and all post-operative reviews until you are fully discharged.
The full price for your individual case can only be confirmed after a face-to-face consultation with the consultant who will perform your surgery. Our consultation fee with a consultant plastic surgeon is £200.
Quick answers
Will the same surgeon plan, perform and review my ear correction?
Will the same surgeon plan, perform and review my ear correction?
Yes. The consultant who assesses you at your first appointment – Mr Ken Stewart or Mr Will Anderson – plans your surgery, performs it at Waterfront Private Hospital and reviews you afterwards. There are no handovers between surgeons.
What happens if I have concerns after my surgery?
What happens if I have concerns after my surgery?
Your Quaba consultant stays responsible for your care after surgery. A nurse sees you a week after your operation, more often if you need it, and your consultant reviews you at around six months, when the result has settled. If anything worries you before then, contact us and your consultant will reply directly and see you as soon as needed.
How much does ear correction cost?
How much does ear correction cost?
Prominent ear correction under local anaesthesia is £4,500 at Waterfront Private Hospital. Split earlobe repair costs £1,100 for one lobe or £1,950 for both. Prices cover the surgeon’s fee, the hospital and theatre fee, and all post-operative reviews. A consultation with a consultant plastic surgeon is £200.
All our guide prices are on our pricing page.
Is otoplasty the same as pinnaplasty?
Is otoplasty the same as pinnaplasty?
Yes. Otoplasty and pinnaplasty are both names for the operation that corrects prominent ears, sometimes also called ear pinning. The procedure reshapes the cartilage behind the ear so the ear sits closer to the head.
Is ear correction painful?
Is ear correction painful?
Adult ear correction is performed under local anaesthetic, so the procedure itself is not painful. Discomfort afterwards is usually mild and settles with simple pain relief over a few days.
Will there be visible scars after ear correction?
Will there be visible scars after ear correction?
The scars sit hidden behind the ear and usually settle very well. Rarely, they can become thickened and itchy (keloid scarring) in patients predisposed to that kind of scarring.
Can my ears become prominent again after surgery?
Can my ears become prominent again after surgery?
A degree of recurrence can occur if the internal stitches fail, and around 5 to 10% of patients need further surgery to correct residual problems. Minor asymmetry between the ears is normal and expected.
How long does split earlobe repair take to heal?
How long does split earlobe repair take to heal?
Stitches are removed at around seven days. The scar can stay red and slightly lumpy for up to six months before it settles.
What experience do your surgeons have in ear surgery?
What experience do your surgeons have in ear surgery?
Mr Ken Stewart is president-elect of the International Society for Auricular Reconstruction and the first surgeon in Scotland to hold the Royal College of Surgeons certificate in all aspects of cosmetic surgery. Mr Will Anderson is a consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register with over 15 years of NHS experience. Both perform ear correction at Waterfront Private Hospital.
The surgeons who do this
You meet your consultant at your first appointment. The same consultant plans your surgery, carries it out and sees you afterwards.
Mr Ken Stewart
Consultant plastic surgeon
GMC 3499203
Risks, and how often they happen
Every operation carries risk. Here they are in three groups. The figures come from UK national guidance and published studies, averaged across many patients, so your own risk may be higher or lower. Your consultant will go through what applies to you, and every risk is in your written consent.
- Expected
- Uncommon
- Rare
- For the long term
Expected Almost everyone, and they settle
- Discomfort and a tight feeling for a few days, eased by paracetamol and ibuprofen.
- Swelling and bruising of the ears, with the final shape settling over three to six months.
- A head bandage for the first week, then a soft headband at night for a few weeks.
- Numbness around the ears, usually temporary.
- A scar behind each ear, hidden in the fold and fading over months. It is permanent.
Uncommon Some patients, and some need further treatment
- Part of the correction relaxing, so the ear stands out a little again. Some people choose a revision.
About 1 in 20
- Under-correction, where the ear still stands out more than planned and a further operation may be offered.
- Bleeding under the skin (haematoma), which may need draining. If it is not treated it can damage the skin and the shape of the ear.
About 1 in 50
- A stitch working through the skin behind the ear, which may need removing.
About 1 in 50
- A wound that opens or heals slowly behind the ear.
- A thickened or keloid scar behind the ear, more likely if you have had one before.
Under 1 in 50
Rare but serious
- Infection, treated with antibiotics. Rarely, a severe infection can damage the shape of the ear.
Under 1 in 100
- A true allergic reaction to the local anaesthetic.
Very rare
For the long term
- The shape settles over three to six months as the last swelling goes.
- The scar behind the ear is permanent, but it sits in the fold and is rarely seen from the front.
- A revision is possible if part of the correction relaxes, and your consultant will assess it with you.
More from BAAPS on setting back prominent ears.
Where these figures come from
- Sadhra 2017For: partial recurrence or revision; stitch working through the skin; thickened or keloid scar; infection
- Sadhra 2017; Alanazi 2024For: haematoma
- Bhole MV et al. IgE-mediated allergy to local anaesthetics: a UK perspective. Br J Anaesth 2012;108:903-11For: allergic reaction to local anaesthetic
Aftercare and recovery after ear correction
Most patients take a few days off work after ear correction and return to strenuous exercise at six weeks. Discomfort in the first days is usually mild and managed with simple pain relief.
Detailed instructions are available on our ear correction aftercare page.
A nurse reviews you at one week, and more often if needed in the early healing period. Your consultant sees you again at around six months once the result has settled. Between then, your consultant is always available – if anything concerns you, they will respond directly and arrange to see you as soon as needed.
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