What is otoplasty?

Otoplasty is the surgical name for ear-pinning, performed for prominent ears. There are multiple causes described for the prominent ear(s), but usually the two most common are an overly prominent conchal bowl (the cup or bowl shaped part of the ear that surround the external ear canal opening, and the loss of the fold found at the outside top part of the front ear(s). The first is treated by suturing this bowl to the skull covering (periosteum) in the back of the affected ear. The second by recreating the fold via sutures placed to fold the ear over its back portion.