A simplified nonsurgical method for the correction of neonatal deformational auricular anomalies.
Open accessAbstract
Despite reported success of early nonsurgical splinting of congenital ear deformities, the technique has not been widely utilized due to difficulty with application and positional maintenance of these devices. Delay in treatment can result in unnecessary surgery for the child later in life. In response to this need, we developed a simplified system consisting of Velcro, conformers, and polysiloxane gel that can be applied in 3 steps. Before and after photos after application of the device were graded by a plastic surgeon independent of the study. A total of 33 ear deformities were treated. In all, 92.3% of ears achieved significant improvement and normalization of their ears after therapy. This device allows for a more straightforward and individualized application than current products available. Our hope is that practitioners involved early in the infant's care will utilize this technology resulting in improved outcomes and avoiding unnecessary surgery.
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Chang et al found that later initiation of treatment resulted in a longer duration of treatment, resulting in lower compliance.
“Chang et al found that later initiation of treatment resulted in a longer duration of treatment, resulting in lower compliance.28”
From Non-surgical Correction of Congenital Ear Anomalies: A Review of the Literature (2020) · cites this paper as [28]
The Results report a trend toward longer therapy when splinting began later and conclude that earlier splinting means shorter therapy and improved compliance. The claim presents the longer duration and lower compliance as established results, whereas the paper qualifies the duration finding as a trend and infers the compliance link from follow-up patterns. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredInitiating ear molding later results in a longer duration of treatment and lower treatment compliance.
“Moreover, initiating ear molding later results in a longer duration of treatment and lower treatment compliance.9,16,18”
From A Retrospective Review of Outcomes and Complications after Infant Ear Molding at a Single Institution (2023) · cites this paper as [16]
The Results report a trend toward longer therapy with later splinting and conclude that earlier splinting improves compliance. The claim states the longer duration as a definite result, whereas the observed association is described only as a trend; compliance is presented as the authors’ conclusion rather than a measured comparison. No page numbers are provided in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredUnfamiliarity about the technique, duration, age at initiation, and types of ear anomalies treatable have long been reasons for delay in implementation of ear molding.
“Unfamiliarity about the technique, the duration of treatment, the age at which molding should be initiated, and what kind of ear anomalies can be treated have long been the reasons for a delay in the implementation of this technique.6,17,27–29”
From Non-surgical Correction of Congenital Ear Anomalies: A Review of the Literature (2020) · cites this paper as [28]
The Introduction (page unavailable) says ear molding has not been widely accepted because devices are difficult to apply and keep in place, supporting a technique-related barrier. The Results discuss treatment duration, when to start, and which deformities to treat, but do not say that unfamiliarity with those matters has long delayed implementation. (LLM, conf=0.85)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredByrd et al, Chang et al and Zhang et al mentioned "mixed" deformities as being difficult to treat.
“Byrd et al, Chang et al and Zhang et al mentioned “mixed” deformities as being difficult to treat.6,28,40.”
From Non-surgical Correction of Congenital Ear Anomalies: A Review of the Literature (2020) · cites this paper as [28]
The Results (page unavailable) list two treated cases of “mixed” deformities, so Chang et al. do mention them. The paper does not describe mixed deformities as difficult to treat; the Conclusion’s Figure 8 caption instead shows a mixed deformity after 3.4 weeks of therapy. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe main problem encountered in use of the different treatment materials was mal-adhesion and early loosening of the material.
“The main problem encountered in use of the different treatment materials was mal-adhesion and early loosening of the material.6,28,30,31,35,36”
From Non-surgical Correction of Congenital Ear Anomalies: A Review of the Literature (2020) · cites this paper as [28]
Chan et al, Chang et al, and Mohammadi et al found no significant relation between the age at initiation of treatment and outcome.
“Chan et al, Chang et al, and Mohammadi et al found no significant relation between the age at initiation of treatment and outcome,28–30”
From Non-surgical Correction of Congenital Ear Anomalies: A Review of the Literature (2020) · cites this paper as [28]
In some cases, clinicians were independent or blinded.
“In some cases, clinicians were independent28,30,37 or blinded.31”
From Non-surgical Correction of Congenital Ear Anomalies: A Review of the Literature (2020) · cites this paper as [28]
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References 19 · Cited by 30
- Authors
- Chang, C. S., & Bartlett, S. P.
- Affiliations
- University of Pennsylvania (US)
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (US)
- Corresponding author
- Chang, Catherine S.
- Venue
- Clinical Pediatrics
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2016-07-19
- Volume
- 56
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 132-139
- ISSN
- 0009-9228 (ISSN-L)
- 1938-2707
- OpenAlex
- W2339322630
- Cited by
- 30
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2
- FWCI
- 2.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Clinical Pediatrics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Reconstructive Facial Surgery Techniques
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Genetics › Congenital Ear and Nasal Anomalies
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Craniofacial Disorders and Treatments
- Keywords
- congenital ear deformity, ear anomalies, conformational isomers, early treatment
- MeSH terms
- Cyanoacrylates, Ear Diseases, Ear, External, Female, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Infant, Newborn, Diseases, Male, Siloxanes, Splints, Treatment Outcome
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