Welcome to Ear Scaffolds – a new way to reshape ears
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- What are Ear Scaffolds?
Ear Scaffolds are metal implants which are designed to gently mould the cartilage of the ear into a new shape. This offers a new way for correcting prominent ears. They are made of thin strips of a metal called nitinol. Each strip is very thin (0.2 mm – twice the thickness of a human hair) and should therefore be relatively inconspicuous under the skin of the ear once inserted.
An Ear Scaffold next to a human hair.
- How do Ear Scaffolds work?
Nitinol metal alloy is also known as “memory metal”. This means that Ear Scaffolds can be designed to have a specific shape and will always revert back to this shape even when straightened out. Nitinol metal alloy is very springy and this makes it similar to ear cartilage which is also very elastic. Once the Ear Scaffolds have been inserted, they grip the cartilage and bend into their pre-set shape – reshaping the ear at the same time. Over time (6 months), the ear cartilage adapts to its new shape so that this becomes permanent. At this point, the Ear Scaffolds can be removed if you wish. This will require another simple procedure.
Ear Scaffolds in different sizes & curves
- How are Ear Scaffolds inserted?
Inserting the Ear Scaffolds requires a simple procedure performed under local anaesthetic. Topical local anaesthetic cream is applied to the ear 30-60 minutes before surgery. The anaesthetic cream is then wiped off when the ear is numb. A small incision(s) is made on the edge of the ear so that the ear scaffolds can be placed under the skin using a special applicator. As soon as the ear scaffolds are inserted, the ear cartilage bends immediately into the desired shape. No stitches are necessary to close the incisions which are very small. In most cases, only one ear scaffold will be required to achieve the desired correction. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to insert more scaffolds into each ear to achieve the desired shape. Click here to watch the procedure.
- How much correction can be achieved with Ear Scaffolds?
For the first time in cosmetic ear surgery, Ear Scaffolds will provide you with a unique opportunity to select the precise amount of correction that you want rather than leaving it up to the surgeon.
Ear Scaffolds are designed with many degrees of curvature and with different lengths to suit the different shapes and sizes of the human ear. Before treatment is carried out, you will be able to pick out an Ear Scaffold that achieves the degree of correction that you desire. Remember, more than one scaffold may be necessary to achieve the correction you desire. The surgeon will guide you in your choice and in the clinic you will be able to choose from a full range of ‘trial’ scaffolds. You choose the scaffold that you want by placing it on your ear and looking in the mirror to see the amount of correction that is achieved. By trying them out, you will find the ones that suit you best. Your choice will be recorded, and the equivalent medical scaffolds will then be inserted when your treatment is carried out at a later stage.
Trial Ear Scaffolds on an ear
- Are Ear Scaffolds suitable for all types of prominent ear?
Most prominent ears are prominent because they lack a properly formed anti-helical fold. The aim of treatment with Ear Scaffolds and standard surgery is to create a new anti-helical fold or improve its definition. When this is achieved, the ear prominence is also corrected.
In some cases, the anti-helical fold is already well defined and the prominence is due to a deep conchal bowl. In other cases it is the result of a combination of factors. Even in cases where the conchal bowl is the cause of the prominence, Ear Scaffolds may be able to improve the appearance of your ears - but you may also need additional surgery. The surgeon will be able to advise you when you attend for a consultation.
- Are Ear Scaffolds suitable for children?
Ear scaffolds are suitable for children and adults. If a child is old enough to co-operate with having local anaesthetic cream applied to the ear, then the child is old enough to have ear scaffolds inserted (typically 7 years and above).
- Will I need a general anaesthetic to have Ear Scaffolds?
In most cases, ear scaffolds will be inserted under local anaesthetic. This avoids the risk of general anaesthesia. However, they can also be inserted under a general anaesthetic or under sedation if you prefer.
- How long does it take to insert Ear Scaffolds?
This depends on the number of scaffolds which need to be inserted. However, typically, the whole procedure (making an incision, inserting the scaffolds and applying a dressing) should take no more than 10 minutes. You must also remember to add on the time it takes for the topical local anaesthetic cream to work (30-60 minutes).
- What risks and complications are there for Ear Scaffolds?
This is a new medical procedure and there is no case history to draw on. However, we anticipate that the risks associated with ear scaffolds will be considerably less than with standard surgery – especially with regards to problems such as lack of symmetry, recurrence of prominence, bleeding, scarring and pain. Problems which might arise that are specific to ear scaffolds include: infection, difficulty in removal of ear scaffolds, movement of the ear scaffolds, visibility of the ear scaffolds, failure/fracture of an ear scaffold, damage to the ear cartilage with possible deformity. However, at this stage, these are all hypothetical (worst case scenario) risks.
- How much will treatment cost?
This is a new treatment not yet released for general medical use. Consequently, we do not know yet how much treatment will cost. However, we anticipate that treatment with ear scaffolds will be competitively priced compared to standard otoplasty surgery which currently costs an average of £2,500 for treatment under general anaesthetic.
- When will treatment with Ear Scaffolds be available?
This depends on the results of clinical trials which will hopefully begin in the next 1-2 years. However, if you are willing to volunteer for these trials, then you may be able to have treatment sooner.
- What prompted the invention of Ear Scaffolds?
Mr Kang developed the Ear Scaffold technique for prominent ear correction out of frustration with standard surgery. He was particularly concerned with the high complication rates, length of surgery, unpredictability and (sometimes poor) outcomes associated with standard surgical techniques.
- Who is Mr Norbert Kang?
Mr Norbert Kang is a consultant plastic surgeon who is based at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead. He graduated from the University of London in 1989 and qualified as a plastic surgeon in 2002. His special surgical interests are the treatment of hand conditions, hypospadias and the external ear. His specific research interests are rheumatoid arthritis of the hand and prosthetic reconstruction after loss of body parts (especially the upper limb).
- How can I make contact?
You can register your contact details here. We will use this information to contact you with further news on Ear Scaffolds (for example, when clinical trials will start, cost and availability of treatments)