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a close up of a person's ear

Ear Correction Surgery

Ear concerns are among the most straightforward to address surgically — and among the most consistently life-changing for patients who have lived with them.

Mr Matthew Potter performs two forms of ear correction surgery: otoplasty for prominent ears, and earlobe correction for split or expanded lobes. Both are procedures he has performed for over sixteen years, with results that are natural, permanent, and free from visible scarring.
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Why Mr Potter

16 years performing ear correction surgery

0% long-term pain

0% return to theatre for post-operative complications

0% suture failure

PHIN patient satisfaction score: 99%

PHIN is an independent government audit of consultant patient outcomes, randomly sampling post-operative patients. A 99% satisfaction score places Mr Potter among the highest-rated plastic surgeons in the country.

Prominent Ear Correction

Prominent ears are rarely a matter of size. In most cases the ears are within normal proportions — they simply protrude further from the head than average. This is caused by one of two underlying structural issues: a missing or underdeveloped fold within the ear cartilage (the anti-helical fold), or a conchal bowl — the base of the ear — that is anchored to the head at a more prominent angle. Often both are present together.

Mr Potter’s approach corrects the underlying cause rather than simply pulling the ear back. The anti-helical fold is recreated and the conchal bowl repositioned using permanent internal sutures — a technique that carries significantly fewer complications than cartilage excision, and one that Mr Potter records a 0% suture failure rate across his career.
All incisions are placed behind the ear and are not visible.

Otoplasty | Pinnaplasty

Recovery — Otoplasty

Days 1 – Head bandaged and balaclava worn continuously

Day 3-5 – Any skin discolouration settles

7 days – Wound review at hospital; dressings removed; balaclava worn at night only from this point

2 weeks – Most patients return to work

6 weeks – Balaclava worn at night until this point

  • Mild discomfort only; simple oral pain relief for two days is usually sufficient
  • Avoid coughing, straining and bending for at least one week
  • Avoid wearing earrings for two weeks after the procedure
  • Do not drive until you can safely perform an emergency manoeuvre, turn the head freely and pain-free, and have adequate vision if wearing the balaclava
  • Avoid any future piercing to the upper part of the ear; if further ear procedures are being considered, discuss with Mr Potter first

The Procedure

Otoplasty can be performed under local anaesthetic, though the majority of patients choose general anaesthetic. The procedure takes approximately two to three hours. Most patients are discharged on the day of surgery.

The head is bandaged and covered in a medical balaclava immediately after surgery. This stays in place for the first week. At the seven-day wound review the dressings are removed at hospital. From that point the balaclava is worn at night only — for a further six weeks — to prevent the ears from folding during sleep.

Split Earlobe Correction

Split earlobes — whether partial tears or complete divisions — are most commonly caused by trauma from an earring. Mr Potter corrects both small and large splits under local anaesthetic in approximately one hour. There are no dressings required and patients can shower from the day after surgery. Sutures are removed at one week.

Expanded Earlobe Correction

Stretched or expanded earlobes — whether from gauge piercings or gradual elongation over time — are corrected surgically under local anaesthetic. The procedure takes approximately one hour. The resulting scar is placed neatly within the natural crease beside the ear, where it becomes imperceptible. Sutures are removed at one week.

Recovery — Earlobe Correction

Both earlobe procedures are minor outpatient procedures with minimal downtime. Dressings are minimal — typically a surgical tape or antibiotic cream — and patients can shower from the day after surgery. Sutures are removed at one week.

Earlobe Correction

Earlobe concerns fall into two categories, both correctable under local anaesthetic as a straightforward outpatient procedure.

Mr Potter will discuss all risks with you in detail during your consultation.
Risks associated with prominent ear correction include:
  • Discomfort — mild; typically managed with simple oral pain relief for two days
  • Skin discolouration — uncommon; settles within three to five days where it occurs
  • Suture failure — Mr Potter’s outcome data records 0% suture failure across his career; suture failure can cause recurrence of the prominence
  • Recurrence of prominence or asymmetry — rare with the suture technique; Mr Potter will assess both ears carefully before recommending any procedure
  • Cauliflower ear — rare complication specific to ear cartilage surgery
  • Peaked or pointed ear — rare; can result from over-correction of the anti-helical fold
  • Loss of part of the ear — exceptionally rare
  • Infection — uncommon; avoid earrings for two weeks post-operatively to minimise this risk
  • Scarring — incisions are placed behind the ear and are not visible
  • DVT / pulmonary embolus — where general anaesthetic is used; specialist stockings are provided during your stay
  • Further procedures — where any adjustments are needed, Mr Potter and his hospital teams are happy to facilitate further surgery
Earlobe correction is a minor procedure performed under local anaesthetic. Risks are minimal and limited primarily to infection and scarring, both of which are uncommon with proper wound care.

What Patients Say

After my final appointment with Mr Potter last week, I just wanted to send an email of thanks. It isn’t my first procedure with Mr Potter and I’m sure it wont be my last. I’ve had both a labiaplasty and pinnerplasty under him. At every stage throughout I’m constantly in awe of how he conducts himself. Not only is he so knowledgeable, he’s so relatable with it, which is few and far between with many surgeons. Mr Potter is able to build a great rapport throughout every appointment and this continued into surgery. My surgery was under local, and I was amazed to see how he conducts himself during surgery, not only with me as a patient but also with his theatre staff. It was a true testimony to who he is that I felt no hierarchy throughout the surgery, Mr Potter respected each and everyone of his staff in that theatre room and although colleagues, it felt like they were friends, too. Although a fantastic surgeon, and a wealth of knowledge, Mr Potter has stayed humble and this is such a fantastic attribute to have. Thank you so much for the great results Mr Potter. All the best to you and your lovely family. Amy
Just a little note to say thank-you for taking such good care of our daughter. We are more grateful than you could know.
Thank you for taking such good care of my daughter.
Mr Potter is a very kind and gentle man. He takes great pride in his work and makes an effort to get to know and listen to his patients. I have no hesitation in recommending him.
After my final appointment with Mr Potter last week, I just wanted to send an email of thanks. It isn’t my first procedure with Mr Potter and I’m sure it wont be my last. I’ve had both a labiaplasty and pinnerplasty under him. At every stage throughout I’m constantly in awe of how he conducts himself. Not only is he so knowledgeable, he’s so relatable with it, which is few and far between with many surgeons. Mr Potter is able to build a great rapport throughout every appointment and this continued into surgery. My surgery was under local, and I was amazed to see how he conducts himself during surgery, not only with me as a patient but also with his theatre staff. It was a true testimony to who he is that I felt no hierarchy throughout the surgery, Mr Potter respected each and everyone of his staff in that theatre room and although colleagues, it felt like they were friends, too. Although a fantastic surgeon, and a wealth of knowledge, Mr Potter has stayed humble and this is such a fantastic attribute to have. Thank you so much for the great results Mr Potter.
John DoeCEO

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes prominent ears?

Prominent ears are caused by one or both of two structural issues — an underdeveloped fold in the ear cartilage (the anti-helical fold), or a conchal bowl anchored to the head at a wider angle than average. The ears are rarely larger than normal; they simply sit further from the head.

Mr Potter uses a suture-based technique that recreates the anti-helical fold and repositions the conchal bowl using permanent internal sutures. This approach carries significantly fewer complications than cartilage excision and produces a natural, stable result. All incisions are placed behind the ear and are not visible.

Otoplasty can be performed under local anaesthetic, but most patients choose general anaesthetic. Mr Potter will discuss the options with you during consultation.

Yes — prominent ear correction is commonly performed in younger patients. Mr Potter will advise on timing and suitability during consultation.

Split earlobe correction repairs tears or divisions in the lobe, most commonly caused by earring trauma. Expanded earlobe correction reduces and reshapes a stretched or elongated lobe. Both are minor outpatient procedures performed under local anaesthetic with minimal downtime.

Scars are minimal. For split earlobe repair, the wound is closed neatly with sutures removed at one week. For expanded earlobe correction, the scar is placed within the natural crease beside the ear, where it becomes imperceptible.

Most patients return to work within two weeks. Swelling and any discolouration settle within the first week. The head is bandaged for the first seven days, after which the balaclava is worn at night only for a further six weeks to protect the ear position during sleep.

Mr Potter performs ear correction surgery at the Manor Hospital in Oxford, Ridgeway Hospital in Swindon, Stratum Clinic in Wootton Oxfordshire, ProDerm in Cheltenham, and Interface Business Park in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Book a Consultation

Contact us if you have any health concerns or are looking to get a consultation. You can contact Matthew Potter by using the form below or contact him through one of the available telephone numbers or email addresses listed on this page.

Private Secretary & All Correspondence

T. 07917 965717

Swindon - Ridgeway Hospital

T. 01793 814848

Cheltenham - ProDerm, Festival House

T. 0800 0489230

Oxfordshire - Stratum Clinic,
Wootton Business Park

T. 01865 320790

Wiltshire - Interface Business Park, Royal Wootton Bassett

T: 0808 2803560

Oxford - The Manor Hospital

T. 01865 307777

Contact Lissie on 07917 965717 or use the form below.