
Kang and Kerstein have reported on 39 otoplasty patients treated with an ear clip device (earFold implants; earFold, London, United Kingdom) that sets the upper portion of the ear back, creating a more prominent antihelical fold.1 The advantage of utilizing these implants is how quickly they can be inserted. In addition, the implants, being metallic, are presumably stronger than sutures and the recurrence of upper ear prominence, if the implants are left in place permanently, is likely very low. This article raises a number of important questions about the earFold implants, specifically, and about otoplasty, procedures in general. The authors present these implants as a new treatment for prominent ears. More accurately, the devices are a replacement for one component of an otoplasty procedure, the setback of the upper third of the auricle. The earFold implants do not address the middle or lower third of the ear. I surmise that only a minority of patients could be treated with …
Face, Humans, Pilot Projects, Ear, External, Surgical Instruments, Neck
Face, Humans, Pilot Projects, Ear, External, Surgical Instruments, Neck
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