A 10-Year Retrospective Review of the Nonsurgical Treatment of Infant Ear Anomalies

Copyright © 2022 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons..

BACKGROUND: A review of a single surgeon's 10-year experience treating congenital ear anomalies using nonsurgical ear molding is presented. This study assesses the efficacy of treating a variety of anomalies in infants with age ranging from younger than 1 week to 22 weeks and identifies potential barriers to care.

METHODS: A retrospective chart and photographic review of 246 consecutive infants treated with ear molding between 2010 and 2019 was undertaken. Data regarding patient demographics, anomaly classification, device selection, treatment duration, adverse events, and satisfaction with outcomes were collected.

RESULTS: This study included 385 infant ear anomalies in 246 patients. Median age at initiation of treatment was 16 days and median treatment duration was 29.5 days. A median number of three devices was needed to complete bilateral treatment. Treated anomalies included mixed deformity, helical rim, prominent, lidding/lop, Stahl ear, conchal crus, cupping, and cryptotia. Complications occurred in 47 patients, with skin breakdown being the most common [26 patients (55.3 percent)]. Satisfaction rate was 92 percent in 137 surveyed parents. Median patient household income was approximately $112,911, and treatment was covered by insurance for 244 of 246 patients.

CONCLUSIONS: The study outcomes demonstrate that ear molding can be effective in patients as old as 22 weeks without compromising treatment duration or complexity. In addition, in the authors' experience, molding is an effective treatment for the majority of infant ear deformities. Despite a steady increase in patient volume over the past 10 years and consistent coverage of treatment by insurance, the authors' catchment area continues to be largely limited to affluent households.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2022

Erschienen:

2022

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:150

Enthalten in:

Plastic and reconstructive surgery - 150(2022), 5 vom: 01. Nov., Seite 1049e-1056e

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Charipova, Karina [VerfasserIn]
Rogers, Ashley [VerfasserIn]
Barra, Christina [VerfasserIn]
Baker, Stephen B [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Journal Article
Review

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 28.10.2022

Date Revised 07.12.2022

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1097/PRS.0000000000009638

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM345166183