Otoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure to reshape or "pin back" the ears. In the years after World War II, when GI haircuts were popular, “ear pinning” was the most common cosmetic surgical procedure.

Protruding ears, which tend to run in families, are best fixed at age five or six, before starting to school. Patients of all ages can be corrected, although with increasing age the cartilage gets stiffer and more difficult to reform.

The incisions are placed behind the ears and recovery is generally three to five days. There is minimal discomfort and the costs range from approximately $2800 to $5100 for adults or $4250 to $6550 for children. The additional cost for children is attributed to the need for an anesthesiologist and a more advanced operating room and general anesthesia. Occasionally only one ear is deformed and unilateral correction can be done at a lesser fee.

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