Non-Operative Correction of Congenital Auricular Deformities Using a Silicone Splint

Park, Jou Hyun; Kim, Kyung Mok; Lee, Young Seob; Kim, Young Soo; Kim, Yong Oock

Abstract

Congenital auricular anomalies can be categorized as either malformed or deformational. Selected congenital ear deformities, particularly those of a deformational type(lop ear, prominent ear, cup ear) as well as cryptotia, may be corrected with early, non-operative splint molding , thereby avoiding later surgical correction. Non-operative management of these deformities is possible because of the early malleability of cartilage during the neonatal period when the cartilage is affected by high levels of circulating maternal estrogens. In this study, we used early splinting to correct deformational ear deformities. Splints were made of wire threaded into silicone tubing. From November 1998 to January 2000, we treated 42 infants, ranging in age from 1 day to 42 months with 47 deformed auricles: There were 37 lop ears, 7 cryptotias, 1 prominent ear, and 2 stahls ears. We applied silicone splint for 36 infants who had not yet reached 6 weeks of age, and applied silicone splint and estrogen ointment for 6 infants over 6 weeks. Infants treated before 6 weeks of age showed remarkable improvement and the duration for correcting deformities was short. By contrast infants treated after 6 weeks of age showed little improvement and needed more time for correction.