Ear Correction Surgery for Children in London.
Care from a consultant paediatric plastic surgeon at Evelina London Children's Hospital, with a full children's team around your child at every step.
- Evelina London
- GMC Specialist Register
- FRCS (Plast)
- English and Spanish
Thoughtful care, from the first conversation.
Clear guidance for families considering ear correction or advice about another ear difference.
Request a consultationEar correction surgery offers a more natural look.
It is carried out by Miss Jana Torres-Grau, a consultant paediatric plastic surgeon at Evelina London Children's Hospital. Your child is cared for by a full children's team throughout.
- Hospital
- NHS Consultant at Evelina London
- Patients
- From birth to 18
- Registration
- GMC Specialist Register, FRCS (Plast)
- Languages
- Consultations in English and Spanish
Who will care for your child?
Your child's surgery is carried out by Miss Jana Torres-Grau, a consultant plastic surgeon at Evelina London Children's Hospital. She has trained across the breadth of plastic surgery over more than thirteen years, including a specialist craniofacial fellowship, and she works with children and young adults day to day.
You can read more about her training and background, and she is listed on the Evelina London hospital website. She started as a locum consultant at Evelina London in 2021, becoming a permanent part of the team in 2023.
Strong training, with children at its heart.
Specialist paediatric care is built on broad surgical experience, dedicated children's training and a clear understanding of how families experience treatment.
- Professional qualification
- FRCS (Plast.)
- Paediatric fellowship
- Great Ormond Street Hospital
- Family understanding
- Advanced childhood psychology training
View Miss Torres-Grau's full training journey Medical degree, specialist surgical training, fellowship and professional qualifications.
These qualifications represent the training and experience that sit behind each consultation, operation and follow-up appointment.
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2021
Great Ormond Street Hospital fellowship
Fellowship in craniofacial and general paediatric plastic surgery, alongside an Advanced Childhood Psychology Diploma.
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2020
Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, England
FRCS (Plast.).
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2015–2021
London Pan Thames Deanery
Higher specialist plastic surgery training.
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2004–2009
University of Bristol
Medicine and surgery, MBChB.
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2001–2004
University of Bristol
BSc in cellular and molecular pathology and cancer immunology.
Is ear correction right for my child?
Prominent ears are common, and they are nobody's fault.
They happen because of the way the ear cartilage is shaped. Many children are not bothered by them at all. Others may begin to feel self-conscious or experience teasing at school.
Prominent ears can also make glasses, goggles and some headphones less comfortable to wear. When this is affecting how a child feels, some families choose surgery to help.
Whether surgery is suitable depends on your child's age and ear development. Teenagers and young people are welcome too.
- Common
- Prominent ears are a common difference in ear shape.
- Individual
- Not every child needs or wants treatment.
- Considered
- Suitability is discussed around your child's needs.
Other ear differences, and treating babies early
Other ear differences, and treating babies early
Prominent ears are the most common reason families come to us, but Miss Torres-Grau treats other ear differences too, whether a child is born with them or develops them. These include lop ear, Stahl's ear or other shape differences, as well as extra skin tags around the ear (an accessory tragus or accessory auricle), and a split or torn earlobe.
Timing also changes what is possible. In the first weeks of life a baby's ear cartilage is soft, so some prominent or misshapen ears can be gently moulded into a better shape with a small splint, without any surgery at all. This works best when it is started early, so it is worth asking sooner rather than later. Where moulding is no longer the right option, surgery later in childhood is the other route.
What happens during the surgery?
The surgery reshapes the ear so it sits closer to the head. A small cut is made behind the ear, where it does not show. Through that cut, the cartilage is reshaped and held in place with stitches inside the ear.
For children, the surgery is done under general anaesthetic, so your child is asleep and feels nothing. Older children and teenagers can sometimes have it under local anaesthetic instead. The operation usually takes about one to two hours.
Because the cut is behind the ear, any scar is hidden in the natural crease and tends to fade with time.
It helps to be realistic about results. We aim for ears that look natural and sit closer to the head, not perfect matching. Ears are rarely a perfect match, even naturally, and a small difference between the two sides is normal. Miss Torres-Grau will explain what surgery can achieve for your child at the consultation.
Why does a children's hospital matter?
This is the part that sets your child's care apart. Miss Torres-Grau operates at Evelina London Children's Hospital.
That setting matters most when a child has a general anaesthetic. At Evelina London, your child is looked after by anaesthetists who work with children every day. A full children's team is on hand, and a children's intensive care unit is there in the rare event it is ever needed.
A children's hospital is built around children, from the staff to the equipment to the way your child is settled before and after surgery.
The hospital is regulated by the Care Quality Commission, the body that inspects healthcare in England.
You can see more about the setting your child is cared for in before you visit.
Why families choose Miss Torres-Grau
- 13+
- Years across plastic surgery
- GMC
- Specialist Register
Miss Jana Torres-Grau
Consultant Paediatric Plastic Surgeon
A surgeon for children.
She works with children and young people, and is experienced across the breadth of plastic surgery.
A purpose built children's hospital.
Your child is cared for at Evelina London, with a full children's team around them.
Honest about results.
She explains clearly what surgery can and cannot do, so you can make a calm, informed choice.
English and Spanish.
Consultations are offered in both languages, so families feel at ease from the first conversation.
What happens, step by step?
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Your first consultation
You and your child meet Miss Torres-Grau. She examines your child's ears, listens to your concerns, and explains your options in plain words. There is no pressure to go ahead.
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Planning the surgery
If surgery is right for your child, you agree a date that suits your family's schedule, including school holidays.
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The day of surgery
Your child has the operation under general anaesthetic and goes home the same day in most cases. You stay close by throughout.
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Recovery at home
Afterwards, your child wears a soft headband to protect the ears, usually for a few weeks and often just at night after the first week. Most children take about a week off school and avoid sports for 6 to 8 weeks. You will be advised as your child recovers.
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Follow-up
She checks how your child is healing and is there to answer any questions as the ears settle into their new shape.
How much does children's ear correction cost?
A consultation with Miss Torres-Grau is £250. Private ear correction surgery itself does not have a single fixed price, because every child is different, and a few things affect the cost.
These are mainly whether one ear or both ears need correcting, the type of anaesthetic, and the hospital fees for your child's care and any overnight stay. Care in a children's hospital, with a children's anaesthetic team, is part of what you are paying for. The hospital publishes starting-from prices for ear procedures, which give a useful guide, and your child's exact price is confirmed in writing after the consultation, with nothing added afterwards.
One ear or both ears correction?
Local or general anaesthetic?
Hospital care & fees
Considering ear correction for your child?
For a child, who performs the surgery and where it happens matter as much as the operation itself. A consultation with Miss Torres-Grau is a calm, no-pressure way to ask your questions and understand your child's options.
No obligation. We are happy to answer anything you are unsure about.
Clear answers before you decide
Open any question to read more. At consultation, Miss Torres-Grau will talk through what is most relevant for your child.
Does the surgery hurt?
Your child feels nothing during the operation, because it is done under general anaesthetic. Local anaesthetic is also used so when your child wakes up the ears are numb and there is no pain. As the anaesthetic wears off after a few hours there may be some discomfort. The ears can feel sore or tender for a few days. Paracetamol is normally adequate for this period.
Are there any risks I should know about?
Ear correction is a safe and common operation, but like any surgery it carries small risks, such as bleeding, infection, or some numbness around the ear for a while. Miss Torres-Grau will talk you through the risks honestly before you decide.
Should we correct one ear or both?
It depends on your child. If only one ear sticks out, correcting that ear alone may be enough. If both stick out, they are usually treated together for a balanced look. She will advise you at the consultation.
What if my child is a teenager, or unsure about surgery?
That is completely fine, and worth talking through. There is no upper age limit, so teenagers and young people can have ear correction. It matters that your child wants it too, so Miss Torres-Grau speaks with them directly and never rushes the decision.
Will my child's ears stay back permanently?
Yes, the results are made to last. Inside the ear, the reshaped cartilage is held in place with stitches. Ears are never a perfect match, even naturally, but they will sit much closer to the head for the long term.
When will we see the final result?
Ears look neater straight away, but they keep settling for a few months. By about three months after surgery, the final shape is usually clear, once any swelling has gone.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
You do not need a GP referral to see Miss Torres-Grau privately, though one is useful if your child has already been seen. If you are not sure, just ask when you get in touch.
Get in touch
Request a consultation or ask a question
Fill in the form and the team will be in touch, usually the same day. There is no obligation, and I will always give you an honest view of whether a consultation is the right next step.
- We aim to reply the same day
- A GP referral is not needed, though helpful if you have one
- Consultations in English and Spanish
- Professional advice about whether surgery is the right for your child
Prefer to call or email directly?
- 020 7188 9687
- Show email address
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Evelina London Children's Hospital,
Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7EH
Send us a message
All fields marked * are required. Your details are kept private and never shared.
Start with a calm conversation. We will guide you from there.
A consultation with Miss Jana Torres-Grau gives you time to ask questions, understand whether ear correction may be right for your child, and meet the consultant and children's team who would care for them.
No obligation. We are happy to answer anything you are unsure about.
Miss Jana Torres-Grau · Consultant Paediatric Plastic Surgeon at Evelina London Children's Hospital
