What Otoplasty Involves
귀 성형 (gwi seonghyeong — ear surgery) in Korea addresses three primary anatomical variations: prominent ears (ears that project too far from the head), antihelix underdevelopment (the fold of cartilage within the ear is absent or flat), and conchal excess (the bowl of the ear is too deep). Most patients present with a combination of the first two.
Korean surgeons perform the Mustardé suture technique for most otoplasty cases — placing permanent sutures through the cartilage to recreate the antihelix fold, combined with posterior skin excision to allow the ear to sit closer to the head. For cases where conchal excess is the primary issue, cartilage scoring or partial conchal excision may be added.
| Technical factor | Korean technique used | Correction achieved |
|---|---|---|
| Absent or flat antihelix | Mustardé mattress sutures through cartilage | Recreates antihelix fold; reduces ear projection |
| Conchal excess (deep bowl) | Conchal setback sutures (Furnas technique) or partial excision | Reduces conchal bowl depth; pulls ear closer to head |
| Earlobe prominence | Soft tissue excision or repositioning | Reduces lobule projection |
| Asymmetry between ears | Individual assessment of each ear separately | Each ear treated to achieve bilateral symmetry |
| Post-traumatic ear deformity | Custom cartilage reshaping per defect type | Restoration of normal anatomy |
Cost and What Is Included
| Procedure | Korea (KRW) | Korea (USD) | UK (GBP) | Australia (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otoplasty — both ears | ₩1,500,000–₩4,000,000 | $1,087–$2,899 | £2,500–£5,000 | AUD $4,000–$8,000 |
| Otoplasty — one ear only | ₩1,000,000–₩2,500,000 | $725–$1,812 | £1,500–£3,000 | AUD $2,500–$5,000 |
| Earlobe repair (split/stretched) | ₩300,000–₩800,000 | $217–$580 | £500–£1,500 | AUD $800–$2,000 |
Candidacy
Often a good candidate
- Adults with prominent ears that project significantly from the head
- Patients with underdeveloped antihelix fold visible on frontal or lateral view
- Patients bothered by ear asymmetry (one ear more prominent than the other)
- Patients who have completed cartilage development (typically by age 5–6, though procedure is commonly performed in adults)
- Patients who can commit to 5–7 days in Seoul and the 2-week headband protocol
Should reconsider or wait
- Patients with very thin or weakened ear cartilage — suture holding strength is reduced
- Patients with unrealistic expectations about symmetry — perfect bilateral symmetry is not achievable and not the goal
- Patients with active skin infection or dermatitis in the ear area
Not a suitable candidate
- Patients with bleeding disorders or on anticoagulant medication without medical clearance
- Patients who cannot wear the protective headband consistently for the required period
What does ear pinning surgery involve in Korea?
Korean otoplasty typically uses a posterior (behind-the-ear) incision to access the cartilage. The antihelix is folded and sutured into a more defined position (the Mustardé technique), the conchal bowl may be reduced if it is excessively deep, and the ear is repositioned closer to the head. The incision heals in the natural crease behind the ear and is essentially invisible once healed. The procedure takes 1–2 hours under local anaesthesia with sedation and involves no general anaesthesia for most patients.
How long does the headband need to be worn after otoplasty?
A protective headband is worn continuously for the first 2 weeks to hold the ears in their new position while the surgical sutures and cartilage setpoints stabilise. After week 2, the headband is worn at night only for a further 4–6 weeks. The headband prevents accidental displacement of the ear while sleeping — side-sleepers are at greater risk of suture pull if the ears are exposed to pressure during healing.
Is otoplasty performed under general anaesthesia in Korea?
For adults, most Korean clinics perform otoplasty under local anaesthesia with IV sedation (twilight sedation) rather than full general anaesthesia. This reduces anaesthesia-related risk and recovery time significantly. Patients are comfortable during the procedure and do not experience pain, but remain in a sedated conscious state. General anaesthesia is typically used only for younger children, which is not the primary focus of Korean aesthetic otoplasty.