Nonoperative Molding of Congenital Ear Deformities: The Impact of Birth-Initiation Delay on Correction Outcome.
Citation: Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. 31(6):1588-1592, 2020 Sep.PMID: 32371707Institution: MedStar Washington Hospital CenterDepartment: Surgery/Plastic SurgeryForm of publication: Journal ArticleMedline article type(s): Journal ArticleSubject headings: *Ear Auricle/ab [Abnormalities] | *Ear Diseases/th [Therapy] | *Ear, External/ab [Abnormalities] | Equipment and Supplies | Female | Humans | Infant, Newborn | Male | Personal Satisfaction | Retrospective Studies | Skin | Treatment OutcomeYear: 2020Local holdings: Available online from MWHC library: 2001 - present, Available in print through MWHC library:1999-2007ISSN:- 1049-2275
Item type | Current library | Collection | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode |
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Journal Article | MedStar Authors Catalog | Article | 32371707 | Available | 32371707 |
Available online from MWHC library: 2001 - present, Available in print through MWHC library:1999-2007
Ear molding can improve the majority congenital ear deformities when employed early after birth. However, the best time to initiate treatment remains debated. In describing one surgeon's experience over the past near decade, this study aims to highlight differences conferred by treatment timing. The authors hypothesize that auricular outcomes are superior when deformities are molded beginning in the first 3 weeks of life. A retrospective review (2010-2018) of 272 cases was performed to compare early initiation of molding (<3 weeks of birth) and delayed initiation (>3 weeks). The mean patient age was 20.4 days and the mean follow-up was 0.5 months. The overall treatment was approximately 31 days. The number of devices required was similar (2.3 versus 2.5) between early and delayed molding cases, but fall-outs (1.0 versus 0.7, P = 0.02) and replacements (0.9 versus 0.6, P = 0.004) were more common after delayed molding. Skin complications developed in 13.6% (37) of ears overall and did not differ by treatment timing. Follow-up surgery was reported in 2 (0.7%) ears. The 85% of families reported subjective satisfaction with the final outcome; satisfaction was significantly higher for early cases (97% versus 79%, P = 0.03). Ear molding of congenital ear deformities should begin within 3 weeks of birth. From our experience, setting realistic expectations helps limit discrepancies between expectation and outcome.
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