Earfold is a small, permanent metal implant that's placed under the skin in the ear cartilage during a minimally invasive surgical procedure, for the correction of prominent ears. This curved, highly elastic implant is made of the biocompatible nickel-titanium alloy nitinol, plated in 24-carat gold. (Nitinol is commonly used in medical devices, including cardiovascular stents.)
Ear pinning with Earfold is an alternative to standard otoplasty surgery, a much more involved procedure with a longer recovery time—but it's not the best option in every case. “It’s an interesting innovation for patients who don't desire a full otoplasty,” says Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Rod Rohrich. “However, it's useful only for those who have a slight upper-ear prominence, with a lack of antihelical fold definition [the primary ridge of cartilage in the center of the ear, also called the antihelix]. It’s not a viable option for patients with full-blown prominent ears due to a protruding conchal bowl, which is the most common scenario I see.”Â
The procedure also can't make big ears smaller, though it can make them less noticeable.Â
Earfold implants sit close to the surface of the skin on the front of the ear, but as Dr. Walid Sabbagh, a plastic surgeon in Surrey, England, notes “Usually the Earfold is almost invisible. Occasionally it can be slightly noticeable, if it’s not totally flush with the cartilage.” Its 24-carat gold coating also helps make the implant less visible.
