title: A prospective study on non-surgical correction of protruding ears: the importance of early treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Splinting is an elegant method to correct ear deformities in the newborn. However evidence is lacking on the relation between age and efficacy and duration of the treatment. We prospectively studied these questions on protruding ears in 132 babies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A splint in the scaphal hollow was used in combination with tape (Earbuddies(®)). Treatment continued until the desired shape persisted. Results were judged from photographs and mastoid-helical distance was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 132 babies 209 ears were treated. Twenty-four patients had no follow-up, 27 stopped therapy for skin irritation and fixation problems. In the remaining patients results were good in 28%, fair in 36%, poor in 36%. Efficacy deteriorates with age; with fair or good results in 66.7% if therapy started before the sixth week. Older children needed to be splinted longer. The anti-helical fold was easier corrected than a deep concha (correction in 69.8% versus 26.8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering splinting therapy for protruding ears, a reasonable chance of success can only be offered to parents of children up to six weeks of age. It is favorable if the deformity is mainly due to a flat antihelix.
authors: Dutch Center of Ear Reconstruction, Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery KE.04.140.0, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands. vanwijk48@hotmail.com
authors: M P
authors: MP
authors: van Wijk
authors: C C
authors: CC
authors: Breugem
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Kon
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D054644:Ear Auricle / Q000002:abnormalities*; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009426:Netherlands; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013165:Splints; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014014:Tissue Adhesives