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During the ear correction using the thread method, a special thread is placed in the ear cartilage of the thread mesh.
August 5, 2025
Hanja Niederhammer
Otoplasty without surgery: Everything about the thread method for children & adults - Advantages, risks, costs explained concisely
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The thread method is a minimally invasive technique for the permanent correction of protruding ears without visible scars or larger incisions. In this gentle procedure, special non-absorbable threads are strategically placed in the ear cartilage, acting like an internal support splint and gently bringing the ear into the desired position. The outpatient procedure takes 30-60 minutes per ear under local anesthesia and is suitable for children from 5-6 years old as well as adults with mild to moderate protruding ears. The costs range between 1,800 and 3,500 euros for both ears, with a significantly shorter healing time than with classic surgical procedures.
Protruding ears are considered an aesthetic flaw by many affected individuals, sparking the desire for a permanent correction. Particularly children, but also adults, often feel uncomfortable with their ear shape - whether for personal reasons or due to negative reactions from others.
For those seeking a gentle, minimally invasive solution without visible scars, ear correction using the thread method offers an interesting alternative to classical surgery. The procedure is performed without cutting or cartilage removal - and scores with short healing time and permanent results.
Read here how the method works, who it is suitable for, what advantages and disadvantages exist - and what patients should pay attention to in terms of durability and risks.
The thread method is a minimally invasive technique that does not require large incisions or visible scars. It offers a gentle way to permanently correct the position of the ears - particularly suitable for patients with mild to moderate protruding ears.
The principle sounds simple - yet it is surgically sophisticated: In ear correction using the thread method, a special thread is placed in the ear cartilage of the thread mesh, allowing the shape and orientation of the ear to be changed.
The threads thus act like an internal support splint: they gently pull the cartilage structure back and thus reshape the ear.
The procedure itself usually takes 30 to 60 minutes per ear and is usually performed under local anesthesia. Through tiny stab incisions, the treating physician inserts the threads at strategically important points in the cartilage. The tension is then adjusted so that the ears lie optimally - without any visible seams or cuts.
The biggest difference from conventional ear correction (otoplasty) lies in the procedure: the thread method is minimally invasive and scar-free. While in classical otoplasty the ear cartilage is usually surgically opened, folded or partly removed, in the thread method the cartilage structure of the ears is largely preserved. Correction is accomplished solely through the targeted placement and tension of the threads.
The healing phase also differs significantly: after a traditional ear operation, patients usually have to wear a bandage for several weeks and take it easy physically. With the thread method, the recovery time is often significantly shorter - many patients can return to everyday life the day after, naturally following the doctor's post-care instructions.
Ear correction using the thread method is especially suitable for patients with mild to moderate protruding ears. Due to the minimally invasive approach, it is particularly recommended if there are no severe malformations or very stiff cartilage structures.
Thanks to the minimally invasive approach without major incisions, the thread method is also suitable for people who prefer scar-free results and do not wish to have a long downtime.
Especially in children, the decision for an ear correction is a sensitive topic - both medically and emotionally. In addition to the child's physical maturity, psychological and emotional readiness should also be carefully considered. Children should understand in an age-appropriate manner what happens during the procedure, why it is being carried out, and what to expect during the healing phase. Sensitive medical education involving both children and parents is particularly important here.
Medically speaking, ear pinning using the thread method can generally be performed on children from around the age of 5 to 6 years. The reason: by this time, the ear cartilage is usually stable enough to maintain the new shape through the threads in the long term. At the same time, the skin is still elastic, which further supports healing.
Tip: An individual consultation in a specialized practice with experience in the suture method helps parents make the right decision together with the child - considering medical, aesthetic, and psychological aspects.
The otoplasty using the suture method offers many advantages - however, this procedure is not the best solution in every situation. In cases of severe deformities or very firm, less malleable ear cartilage, the technique is often insufficient to achieve a permanently satisfactory result. In such cases, a traditional otoplasty with targeted cartilage modeling may be the better choice.
Whether the ear correction with the suture method or a surgical procedure is recommended always depends on the individual findings. Personal consultation and careful assessment by experienced specialists are therefore essential.
The selection of the appropriate treatment must always be individualized - based on a thorough examination and with the aim of achieving the best possible and long-term stable result for each patient. Trust in doctors who master various techniques and give you an honest recommendation on which method is truly sensible in your case.
The suture method offers numerous advantages - especially compared to traditional surgical procedures. Here are the key points at a glance:
The entire correction is done without cuts and without removing cartilage tissue. Instead, the ears are brought into the desired position by the targeted placement of special threads. This largely preserves the natural structure of the ear.
Since the procedure only requires tiny stab incisions, no visible scars remain. This makes the method particularly interesting for those who want an aesthetically discreet correction.
Compared to conventional surgical procedures, healing with the thread method for ear correction is usually quick and uncomplicated. Many patients are socially presentable again after just a few days - often without noticeable traces of the procedure.
Even though ear pinning with the thread method is considered a gentle procedure, it is not completely risk-free, like any medical intervention. Patients should be aware of the following points in advance:
Immediately after the procedure, swelling, bruising or a slight feeling of pressure in the area of the ears may occur. These reactions are usually harmless and subside on their own within a few days.
In rare cases, a thread may become visible under the skin or even protrude. This so-called thread perforation can usually be corrected with a small adjustment.
Another point is potential asymmetries: If the thread tension is not adjusted exactly, the ears may lie unevenly. The experience of the treating doctors plays an important role here in keeping this risk as low as possible.
Despite precise technique and good follow-up care, the thread ear repositioning method carries a certain recurrence risk - that is, in some cases the ear position may shift slightly forward again over months or years.
After ear pinning with the suture method, visible changes are usually immediately noticeable: The ears lie much closer to the head immediately after the procedure. However, in the first few days, there may still be slight swelling or skin redness that initially distorts the final impression. Once these side effects have subsided, the result usually appears more natural and harmonious.
Small irregularities or a slightly remaining tendency to protrude are possible, depending on the initial findings - especially in patients with a previously pronounced protruding position of the ears. To avoid disappointment, realistic expectations are crucial. Individual medical advice helps to accurately assess in advance what result is achievable in the specific case.
The previous experiences with the suture method for ear pinning are mostly positive - both in children and adults. Patients often report quick healing, low physical strain, and short downtime.
Parents who have their children treated often emphasize how uncomplicated the process was and how quickly the young patients coped with the procedure physically and emotionally.
The cost of ear correction using the thread method varies depending on the effort, location of the clinic, and experience of the treating doctors. On average, patients should expect amounts between 1,800 and 3,500 euros for both ears. The exact price depends, among other things, on the degree of difficulty of the correction and the individual treatment effort.
Statutory health insurance companies usually only cover the costs in cases of medical necessity - for example, if children are proven to be psychologically burdened by protruding ears. In such cases, a medical report may be required.
In private health insurance, the question of cost coverage is usually assessed individually. It is advisable to submit a written inquiry to one's own insurance in advance to clarify the scope of benefits for an ear correction using the thread method.
Ear pinning is performed under local anesthesia with the thread method - therefore, patients do not feel any pain during the procedure. In the days following, there may be a slight feeling of pressure or tension, which can usually be well controlled with mild painkillers.
If performed professionally, the results are stable in the long term. However, as with any minimally invasive method, there is a certain risk that the shape of the ear may change slightly over the years.
In children, ear correction can usually be performed from the age of about 5 to 6 years. At this age, the ear cartilage is usually stable enough to maintain the new shape in the long term. At the same time, the still elastic skin ensures good healing.
Scientifically sound recommendations on the minimum age are available from the German Society for Ear, Nose and Throat Medicine and the Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (GÄPC). Both organizations recommend ear correction from around 5 to 6 years - regardless of the method chosen.
In the first few weeks, there may be a slight foreign body sensation. However, once the tissue has healed, the threads are usually no longer noticeable.
Patients are generally socially fit again after 2 to 3 days. The exact recovery time depends on the individual healing process.
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Pinning the ears back using the thread method offers many advantages - nevertheless, this procedure is not the best solution in every situation.
