Otoplasty in Turkey

Otoplasty — also called ear pinning or pinnaplasty — reshapes the ear cartilage so that prominent ears sit closer to the head; it can also reduce oversized ears. It suits children from about five years old, teenagers and adults, and is one of the shorter operations in plastic surgery. In Turkey a package typically costs €1,800–€3,800, and most people plan about a week in the country.

What otoplasty is and how it works

Prominent ears usually lack the natural fold just inside the rim (the antihelix), have an unusually deep bowl (the concha), or both. Otoplasty creates the fold and sets the bowl back through a small cut in the crease behind the ear, so the scar is hidden, and permanent internal stitches hold the new shape. Prominent ears are not associated with hearing loss, and the operation does not change hearing. It is performed by a plastic surgeon or an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon.

Ear moulding for newborns

If prominent ears are noticed in the first weeks of life, small splints fitted to the rim can reshape the soft cartilage without surgery. By around six months the cartilage is too firm to remould.

Otoplasty techniques: cartilage-sparing, cartilage-cutting and incisionless

Published reviews show that cartilage-sparing methods are the most widely used and have low recurrence rates, and that hybrids combining stitches with limited cartilage scoring may relapse least often. Evidence for incisionless otoplasty is still thin, so be cautious of offers selling it as a no-surgery shortcut.

Who is a good candidate for otoplasty

• Children from about 5 years old, once the ears have grown enough and the cartilage can hold stitches
• Children who notice their ears themselves and want the operation — surgeons advise waiting until the child asks
• Teenagers and adults bothered by prominent, large or uneven ears, or by earlier ear surgery
• People in good health, without untreated ear infections, and ideally non-smokers
• Anyone with realistic expectations: natural-looking ears, not two identical ones

Otoplasty is not suitable for children under five, whose cartilage is too soft, for a child who does not want it, or while there is an active infection around the ear.

The otoplasty procedure step by step

Otoplasty recovery timeline

1. Days 1–3

   Tender, bandaged ears

   Soreness and a tight, throbbing feeling are normal and usually respond to the painkillers your surgeon recommends. Keep the bandage clean and dry.

2. Days 5–10

   Bandage and stitches off

   The bandage and any non-dissolving stitches are removed. You can wash your hair again, and a soft headband takes over.

3. Weeks 1–2

   Back to school or desk work

   Most children return to school after 1–2 weeks, and adults to desk work in a similar time. Bruising fades over about two weeks.

4. Weeks 2–6

   Headband at night

   Wear the headband at night for several weeks so the ears are not bent forward on the pillow. Swimming is usually fine after 4–6 weeks.

5. Week 8 onwards

   Sport and final settling

   Contact sports are usually allowed from around eight weeks. Numbness fades over weeks; stiff cartilage can take a few months to soften.

Otoplasty results and how long they last

For prominent ears the change is visible as soon as the dressing comes off, and the scar sits in the crease behind the ear, where it usually fades well. Because the stitches are permanent, the correction is intended to last for life. Cartilage does have a natural spring, though, and a minority of ears move partly forward again, mostly in the first months. A 2026 review of 18 studies reported a pooled recurrence rate of 2.8% and a revision rate of 2.1%.

Otoplasty risks and how to reduce them

• Recurrence — one or both ears partly spring back, sometimes needing a small revision
• Asymmetry — small differences between sides are normal, as ears are rarely identical to begin with
• Haematoma — blood collecting under the skin of the ear, which needs prompt drainage
• Infection or inflammation of the ear cartilage, treated with antibiotics
• Thick, red or keloid scars — BAAPS estimates that scars thicken in about 3% of patients; mention any history of keloids
• Stitch problems — a permanent stitch can surface and need removing, the most common complication in a large 2026 review
• Numbness, stiffness or an over-pinned look, which careful technique aims to avoid

Cost of otoplasty in Turkey and what's included

These are indicative 2026 package prices. Your quote depends on the technique, one or both ears, the type of anaesthesia and the hospital: a single ear usually costs less, while ear reduction or revision costs more. Always ask for a written, itemised quote. For comparison, the NHS puts private ear correction surgery in the UK at £2,500–£3,500, plus consultations and follow-up care. You can get free quotes from several clinics and compare them like for like.

Choosing an otoplasty clinic safely

• A surgeon registered in Turkey as a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery or ENT surgery — ask for the specialty certificate and how often they perform ear corrections
• For children, a hospital with an anaesthetist experienced in treating children
• A licensed, accredited hospital, and a facility or agency holding the Ministry of Health's international health-tourism authorisation (Uluslararası Sağlık Turizmi Yetki Belgesi)
• A written quote covering dressings, the headband, follow-up checks and the revision policy
• Before-and-after photos of the surgeon's own patients, from the front and from behind
• Red flags: promises of a scarless result in minutes, pressure to operate on an unwilling child, or no chance to meet the surgeon beforehand

Good ear surgery is almost invisible: ears that sit naturally, keep soft folds and look as if they had always been that way. For a child, the right time is when they ask for it.

— WhichClinic Editorial Team