Otoplasty (Prominent Ear Surgery) in Turkey
Otoplasty in Turkey: pinning back prominent ears by reshaping the cartilage through a hidden incision behind the ear, as a day case under local or general anaesthesia. Adults and children, recovery, risks.
Anaesthesia
Local anaesthesia with sedation (adults) or general anaesthesia (children)
Operation time
1–1.5 hours for both ears
Hotel
Day case — arranged at cost
Stay in Turkey
5–6 nights recommended; head bandage changed to a headband before you fly
Back to work
Desk work and school in 5–7 days
Package price
€1,440
What Otoplasty involves
Prominent ears are almost always a matter of cartilage shape rather than size. Either the fold in the upper part of the ear (the antihelix) never fully formed, so the ear lies flat and open, or the bowl of the ear (the concha) is deep and pushes the whole ear outward — or both. Otoplasty recreates the missing fold and sets the bowl closer to the head, through an incision hidden in the crease behind the ear. Nothing is removed from the visible part of the ear.
It is one of the few cosmetic operations routinely done in childhood, from about the age of five or six when the cartilage is mature enough to hold a new shape and before the teasing years at school. It is equally effective in adults, many of whom have spent a lifetime with their hair down; adult cartilage is stiffer and is scored or trimmed rather than simply stitched.
What otoplasty does not do: it does not make large ears smaller (ear reduction is a different, less common operation), and it does not create a perfectly symmetrical pair — most ears differ slightly before and after surgery. The aim is ears that sit at a natural angle and no longer draw attention.
Scars: A thin line in the crease behind each ear, invisible from the front and side
Who it suits — and who it does not
Good candidates
- ✓Ears that stick out more than about 2 cm from the head or at an angle greater than 30 degrees, in adults or children from age 5–6
- ✓An absent or weak antihelical fold, a deep conchal bowl, or both
- ✓One prominent ear, or asymmetry between the two
- ✓Good general health; for children, a child who wants the operation rather than only the parents
- ✓Willing to wear a headband at night for several weeks
Usually advised against
- –Children under 5 whose ear cartilage has not finished growing
- –Ears that are large rather than prominent — a different operation is discussed
- –Keloid or hypertrophic scarring history, particularly in the ear area
- –Expecting exact symmetry
- –Unable to protect the ears from knocks and pulling during the first month (contact sport, small children pulling)
Techniques and options
Suture (Mustardé) technique
Through the incision behind the ear, permanent mattress sutures are placed to fold the cartilage and recreate the antihelix. It preserves cartilage, gives a smooth fold and is the standard approach in children and in adults with soft cartilage.
Cartilage scoring or shaping
In stiff adult cartilage, the front surface of the cartilage is lightly scored or thinned so that it bends and holds the new fold without relying on sutures alone. Combining scoring with sutures reduces the risk of the ear springing back.
Conchal setback (Furnas sutures)
If the bowl of the ear is deep, sutures anchor it to the tissue over the mastoid bone behind the ear, pulling the whole ear closer to the head. A small crescent of conchal cartilage may be removed. Many patients need both a fold and a setback.
Earlobe repositioning
If the earlobe still projects after the upper ear is set back, a small skin adjustment brings it in line so the ear looks natural from the front.
Incisionless (EarFold-type) options
Small implants or threads placed through tiny punctures can create a fold without a posterior incision in selected adults with a simple fold defect and no conchal prominence. They do not address a deep bowl and are discussed only when the anatomy suits.
What happens on surgery day
- 1
Assessment before travel: photos from the front, back and both sides, plus a close view of each ear. The surgeon identifies whether the fold, the bowl or both need correcting, and confirms local or general anaesthesia.
- 2
Day of surgery: admission to the day unit after fasting if general anaesthesia is planned. Anaesthetic review; for local anaesthesia with sedation, a cannula and a mild sedative.
- 3
Marking with the ears compared side by side; the target distance from the head is measured at the top, middle and lobe.
- 4
The incision is made in the crease behind the ear, the cartilage exposed, and the fold created with sutures and, if needed, scoring. The conchal setback sutures are placed. The ear is checked from the front against the other side before closing.
- 5
Closure with fine dissolving or removable sutures. A padded head bandage is applied to protect the ears and hold their new position.
- 6
Recovery for 1–2 hours, then discharge with painkillers and instructions. Clinic visit at day 3–5 to remove the bandage and fit a headband; a wound check and fit-to-fly confirmation before you travel.
Recovery timeline
Days 1–3
Aching and tightness behind the ears, mild with regular paracetamol; a full head bandage that must stay dry. Sleep on the back with the head raised.
Days 3–5
Bandage removed at the clinic; the ears look swollen, red and closer to the head than they will end up. A soft sports headband replaces the bandage, worn day and night for 2 weeks.
Week 2
Sutures out if non-dissolving. Back to school or desk work; hair can be washed gently. Headband at night only from now for a further 4 weeks.
Weeks 3–6
Swelling and numbness fading. No contact sport, swimming or anything that could pull the ear for 6 weeks. Sleeping on the side becomes comfortable.
Month 3
Final position. Scars behind the ears are pale lines in the crease.
Results — and their limits
Ears that sit at a natural angle, with a defined fold and a bowl that no longer projects. From the front the change is obvious to you and unremarkable to others — which is exactly the aim.
The result is permanent. Permanent sutures and, in adults, cartilage shaping hold the new form; slight relaxation of a few millimetres in the first months is normal and is planned for by setting the ear a little closer than the final target.
Perfect symmetry is not achievable; ears are asymmetric before surgery and a small difference will remain. Differences of a few millimetres are within the normal range and are not usually corrected.
The scar behind the ear is hidden in the crease and is not visible in normal view, even with short hair.
When it is final: Swelling settles over 4–6 weeks; final position at 3 months
Risks and how they are managed
Every operation carries risk. These are the ones that matter for this procedure, and what is done to reduce, spot or treat each.
Bleeding or haematoma behind the ear
Uncommon; the head bandage applies gentle pressure, and blood thinners are stopped beforehand. Increasing one-sided pain under the bandage is checked the same day.
Infection of skin or cartilage
Rare but important, because cartilage infection can distort the ear. A short antibiotic course, clean dressings and prompt reporting of redness, discharge or fever.
Recurrence — the ear springing back
Occurs in a small proportion, more so in stiff adult cartilage relying on sutures alone. Combining scoring with sutures and wearing the headband as instructed reduce it. A minor revision is possible if it happens.
Over-correction or a "telephone ear"
The ear pinned too close, or the middle set back more than the top and lobe. Prevented by measuring the three points during surgery and comparing both ears from the front before closing.
Suture extrusion
A permanent suture working its way to the skin behind the ear months later, felt as a small bump. Removed in clinic under local anaesthetic without affecting the result.
Numbness or hypersensitivity of the ear
Common for weeks, occasionally months; sensitivity to cold in the first winter is typical and resolves.
Visible or thickened scar
Placement in the crease and tension-free closure; keloid-prone patients are identified beforehand and managed with silicone and, if needed, steroid injection.
Package and cost
€1,440
One fixed price for the operation and a 0-night stay: 0 hospital nights and 0 hotel nights. No deposit surprises, no add-ons for anaesthesia or medication.
Included
- ✓Consultation with the operating surgeon and ear assessment from photographs
- ✓Anaesthetic assessment and, where needed, blood tests
- ✓Otoplasty for both ears as a day case in a hospital operating theatre, under local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia
- ✓Head bandage, headband, dressings and medication
- ✓Private transfers between airport, hospital and clinic
- ✓Bandage removal, wound check, suture removal if required, and fit-to-fly confirmation
- ✓12 months of remote photo follow-up
Not included
- –Hotel nights — otoplasty is a day case; we arrange the recommended 5–6 nights in a 4- or 5-star hotel at cost on request
- –Flights and travel insurance
- –Any later minor revision, assessed separately
How to compare this with a quote at home
Ask any clinic for the same list: surgeon and anaesthetist fees, hospital nights, tests, medication, garments or splints, follow-up visits. A cheaper headline price usually excludes several of these. Then add your flights and insurance to our price for a like-for-like comparison.
How to prepare
- 1.Send photos of both ears from the front, back and sides. For a child, include a short note on whether the child wants the operation.
- 2.Stop aspirin, ibuprofen and supplements that increase bleeding 14 days before; stop smoking 4 weeks before.
- 3.Wash and dry the hair thoroughly the night before — the bandage stays on for 3–5 days.
- 4.Bring a wide, soft sports headband (two if possible), button-front tops and, for children, a favourite pillow.
- 5.Plan 5–6 nights in Turkey and a week off work or school; avoid contact sport for 6 weeks.
Aftercare at home
- •Keep the head bandage dry and in place until the clinic removes it at day 3–5. Sleep on the back with the head raised.
- •Wear the headband day and night for 2 weeks after the bandage comes off, then at night for a further 4 weeks. It protects the ears from being folded forward in sleep.
- •Gentle hair washing from day 5–7 with the head tilted back; pat the ears dry.
- •No swimming, contact sport, or anything that could pull on the ears for 6 weeks. Glasses can be worn once the bandage is off, resting lightly.
- •Keep the scars behind the ears out of the sun for 3 months.
- •Report increasing one-sided pain, redness, discharge or fever the same day. Send photos at 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months.
Frequently asked questions
What age can otoplasty be done?
Is it done awake or asleep?
Will there be visible scars?
Does it hurt?
Can the ears spring back?
Will both ears match exactly?
How long do I need to stay in Turkey?
Can I have just one ear done?
What is included in the price?
Often considered alongside
Free assessment
Send your details; a coordinator replies with a surgeon’s opinion and a written plan.