Download PDF
Semin Plast Surg 2017; 31(03): 141-145
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1603958
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Newborn Ear Deformities: Early Recognition and Novel Nonoperative Techniques

Kelly Schultz
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
,
Diana Guillen
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
,
Renata S. Maricevich
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
09 August 2017 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Congenital auricular anomalies are common sources of aesthetic concern and psychosocial distress for both children and their parents. Only one-third of these anomalies self-correct, leaving a large need for acceptable corrective methods. Otoplasty is often the standard treatment; however, newer nonsurgical methods, including splinting and molding in the neonatal period, have shown favorable results without the complications of surgical intervention and with the advantage of early intervention. These treatment options have not yet been widely adopted in Western countries due to delayed diagnosis of auricular deformities and confusion regarding treatment indications and technique.

Keywords

neonatal ear anomalies - auricular deformation - splinting - molding - nonsurgical management
 

  • References

  • 1 Leonardi A, Bianca C, Basile E. , et al. Neonatal molding in deformational auricular anomalies. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2012; 16 (11) 1554-1558
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Chang CS, Bartlett SP. A simplified nonsurgical method for the correction of neonatal deformational auricular anomalies. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2017; 56 (02) 132-139
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Litschel R, Majoor J, Tasman AJ. Effect of protruding ears on visual fixation time and perception of personality. JAMA Facial Plast Surg 2015; 17 (03) 183-189
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Petersson RS, Recker CA, Martin JRK, Driscoll CLW, Friedman O. Identification of congenital auricular deformities during newborn hearing screening allows for non-surgical correction: a Mayo Clinic pilot study. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2012; 76 (10) 1406-1412
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Wright CG. Development of the human external ear. J Am Acad Audiol 1997; 8 (06) 379-382
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Porter CJW, Tan ST. Congenital auricular anomalies: topographic anatomy, embryology, classification, and treatment strategies. Plast Reconstr Surg 2005; 115 (06) 1701-1712
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Matsuo K, Hayashi R, Kiyono M, Hirose T, Netsu Y. Nonsurgical correction of congenital auricular deformities. Clin Plast Surg 1990; 17 (02) 383-395
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Tan ST, Gault DT. When do ears become prominent?. Br J Plast Surg 1994; 47 (08) 573-574
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Tanzer RC. The constricted (cup and lop) ear. Plast Reconstr Surg 1975; 55 (04) 406-415
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Nagata S. Alternative surgical methods of treatment for the constricted ear. Clin Plast Surg 2002; 29 (02) 301-315
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Daniali LN, Rezzadeh K, Shell C, Trovato M, Ha R, Byrd HS. Classification of newborn ear malformations and their treatment with the EarWell Infant Ear Correction System. Plast Reconstr Surg 2017; 139 (03) 681-691
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Lindford AJ, Hettiaratchy S, Schonauer F. Postpartum splinting of ear deformities. BMJ 2007; 334 (7589): 366-368
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Wallach SG, Argamaso RV. The crumpled-ear deformity. Plast Reconstr Surg 2001; 108 (01) 30-37
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Schonauer F, La Rusca I, Molea G. Non-surgical correction of deformational auricular anomalies. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2009; 62 (07) 876-883
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Byrd HS, Langevin CJ, Ghidoni LA. Ear molding in newborn infants with auricular deformities. Plast Reconstr Surg 2010; 126 (04) 1191-1200
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 van Wijk MP, Breugem CC, Kon M. Non-surgical correction of congenital deformities of the auricle: a systematic review of the literature. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2009; 62 (06) 727-736
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Doft MA, Goodkind AB, Diamond S, DiPace JI, Kacker A, LaBruna AN. The newborn butterfly project: a shortened treatment protocol for ear molding. Plast Reconstr Surg 2015; 135 (03) 577e-583e
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Calder JC, Naasan A. Morbidity of otoplasty: a review of 562 consecutive cases. Br J Plast Surg 1994; 47 (03) 170-174
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Bradbury ET, Hewison J, Timmons MJ. Psychological and social outcome of prominent ear correction in children. Br J Plast Surg 1992; 45 (02) 97-100
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Gosain AK, Kumar A, Huang G. Prominent ears in children younger than 4 years of age: what is the appropriate timing for otoplasty?. Plast Reconstr Surg 2004; 114 (05) 1042-1054
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Wolfe SA. Timing of otoplasty for prominent ears. Plast Reconstr Surg 2006; 117 (02) 680-681 , author reply 680–681
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Gandy JR, Foulad A, Chao KK, Wong BJ. Injectable chondroplasty: Enzymatic reshaping of cartilage grafts. Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis 2017; pii : S1879-7296(17)30015-7
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Yotsuyanagi T, Yokoi K, Sawada Y. Nonsurgical treatment of various auricular deformities. Clin Plast Surg 2002; 29 (02) 327-332 , ix
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Tan ST, Abramson DL, MacDonald DM, Mulliken JB. Molding therapy for infants with deformational auricular anomalies. Ann Plast Surg 1997; 38 (03) 263-268
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Thomas L. Reversible collapse of rabbit ears after intravenous papain, and prevention of recovery by cortisone. J Exp Med 1956; 104 (02) 245-252
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar