Otoplasty FAQ: 35+ questions, honest answers.

Otoplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes or repositions the external ear to correct prominence, asymmetry, or congenital deformity. The most common form treats bilateral prominent ears by recreating the antihelical fold and reducing conchal projection through a hidden incision behind the ear.

Bilateral otoplasty takes 1.5 to 2 hours of operative time. Including preparation, anesthesia, and immediate recovery, plan for a 4-hour visit to the surgical facility. You go home or to your hotel the same day.

Mustardé sutures recreate the antihelical fold (the inner Y-ridge), addressing the top half of the ear. Furnas sutures pull the conchal bowl backward toward the skull, reducing overall ear projection. Most patients need both, used in combination.

Not necessarily. Adults typically have local anesthesia with light sedation, which has faster recovery and lower cost. Children and anxious adults may prefer general anesthesia. Both options are safe.

A single curved incision is placed behind the ear, in the natural skin crease where the ear meets the scalp. After 3 months, the scar is invisible from the front and difficult to see from behind.

Yes. Unilateral otoplasty is offered when only one ear is prominent. We compare both ears carefully to ensure that after surgery, the operated ear matches the natural one rather than looking 'pinned.'

Age 5 is the conventional minimum, because by then the ear has reached approximately 85% of adult size and cartilage maturity is sufficient. Younger children are not candidates because the ear is still growing significantly.

No. Healthy patients in their 50s, 60s, and 70s undergo otoplasty regularly with excellent results. The main consideration is general health and ability to tolerate anesthesia.

Both are valid. The advantages of teenage surgery (ages 13–17) are: the patient is mature enough to participate in the decision, the social impact of prominent ears is highest during these years, and recovery is rapid. The advantage of waiting is purely personal — you make the decision entirely on your own terms.

There is well-established psychological literature showing that otoplasty in children being teased for prominent ears produces measurable improvement in self-esteem and quality of life. We're cautious not to make this an adult decision imposed on the child — but if the child is themselves bothered, surgery is appropriate.

Yes — this is a substantial portion of our international patient population. Many adults have hidden their ears under longer hair or hats for decades and decide in midlife to address it. The surgery and recovery are no different from any adult case.

Otoplasty in Istanbul typically costs significantly less than equivalent procedures in the UK, US, or Western Europe — often 40–60% lower. Final pricing depends on technique (cartilage-sparing vs. additional scoring), anesthesia type, and accommodation needs. For exact pricing, please WhatsApp us with your photos. We cannot publish prices publicly due to Turkish Ministry of Health regulations on medical tourism advertising.

Our package quotes typically include surgical fee, anesthesia, hospital/operating room fee, all medications, post-op headband, in-person consultations, airport transfers, hotel coordination, and structured follow-up. We're transparent about what's included; ask for the full itemized list.

Plan for 7–10 days. This covers: in-person consultation (day 1), surgery (day 2), bandage period (days 3–7), bandage removal and final check (day 8–10), then fly home. Flying is medically safe from day 7 onwards.

We work with several hotels within walking distance of the clinic (5–15 minutes), in different price ranges. Most international patients stay in Nişantaşı or the adjacent Şişli district. Airport transfers are coordinated.

Strongly recommended for the first 48 hours after surgery. After that, you can manage independently if needed. For pediatric patients, at least one parent must accompany.

Most Western, Middle Eastern, and several Asian nationalities can enter Turkey visa-free for up to 90 days. For visa applications, we can provide an invitation letter from the clinic on USHAŞ-certified letterhead.

Most patients describe it as mild to moderate, comparable to a bad bruise. Oral painkillers (paracetamol or paracetamol+codeine in the first 1–2 days) are sufficient for nearly all patients. Severe pain is rare and would prompt us to investigate for hematoma.

A soft head-wrap bandage stays on for 5 to 7 days. After removal, you wear a tennis-style headband for sleep for an additional 4 to 6 weeks. The headband prevents accidental ear folding during sleep, which is the most common cause of partial relapse.

After the bandage comes off (around day 5–7), you can gently shower and shampoo. Avoid rubbing the ears. We provide a step-by-step washing guide.

Light walking from day 3. Office work and light activity from day 7–10. Cardio and weight training (no head impact) from week 4. Contact sports including boxing, martial arts, rugby, and wrestling from month 3.

Safe from day 7 onwards. Avoid sleeping on your ears during the flight; bring a neck pillow.

Most swelling resolves by week 4–6, giving you about 90% of the final appearance. Scars continue to mature for 6 months, after which the result is considered permanent.

Yes. When the antihelical fold is recreated and conchal projection corrected using permanent sutures or appropriate cartilage modification, results are lifelong. Approximately 1–3% of patients may need a minor touch-up for partial relapse.

Partial relapse (one ear or part of one ear partially returning to its previous position) occurs in 1–3% of cases. Minor revision is straightforward and is offered at significantly reduced cost when performed by us within the first 2 years.

Over-correction is when the ears appear 'pinned' — too flat against the head, with an unnatural angle (below 17°) or distortion of the helix (the 'telephone ear' deformity). Modern cartilage-sparing techniques avoid this because the corrections are measured, reversible during surgery, and we err on the side of natural rather than aggressive.

Hematoma (1–2%, blood collection), infection (under 1%), suture extrusion (2–5%, usually easily managed), asymmetry needing touch-up (3–5%), keloid scarring (under 2% with proper screening), and partial relapse (1–3%). All risks discussed in detail at consultation.

Yes — that's the primary goal. The aim is an auriculocephalic angle of 17–21 degrees with preservation of the natural helical contour. If you didn't tell people you had surgery, most would not notice; they'd just see ears that look proportionate.

Cartilage-sparing techniques are technically reversible by removing the sutures, though this is rarely needed. Cartilage-scoring techniques are not reversible. This is one reason we prefer the cartilage-sparing approach as our default.

Doç. Dr. Ayhan Işık Erdal performs all otoplasty procedures personally — from consultation through surgery to follow-up. There is no 'ghost surgery' or rotation of less experienced surgeons.

Surgery is performed in fully accredited private hospitals in Istanbul, partnered with the clinic. All facilities meet international standards (most are JCI-accredited). The hospital is selected based on the type of anesthesia (local/sedation vs. general) and patient preferences.

Yes — Doç. Dr. Erdal and the clinic team conduct all international patient consultations and care in English. Native Turkish is the primary language but all international communication, materials, and follow-up are in English.

We are conservative about publishing before-and-after photos publicly to protect patient privacy and to avoid Turkish Ministry of Health restrictions on medical advertising. During in-person or video consultation, we can show selected anonymized cases relevant to your specific anatomy.

WhatsApp us (+90 544 850 72 32) with 3 photos of your ears: one straight-on front, one side, and one from directly behind. We'll respond within hours with an initial assessment and the next steps for an online video consultation.