title: Non-surgical Management of Congenital Auricular Deformities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Unlike congenital auricular malformations which are identified by underdevelopment of dermal and cartilaginous tissues, deformed ears are less sever congenital anomalies characterized only by a misshaped pinna structure and can be improved with acceptable cosmetic results and minimal cost through ear molding if treated in early neonatal period. In this study, authors present the first report of using splinting techniques for treatment of deformational auricular anomalies in Iranian children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our case load consisted of a series of 29 patients (Male=16, Female=13) who were referred to Plastic Surgery Unit of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from September 2011 to December 2014. Children aged more than 6 moths were excluded. Twenty-nine children affected by various deformities including prominent ears (n=11), lop ears (n=8) and constricted ears (n=10) were treated by splintage as a nonsurgical technique. The mean time of treatment was 13.33±2 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight (27.6%) patients did not complete the treatment. Splinting resulted in excellent or satisfactory results in 12 (57.14%) of treated cases. No improvement was observed at the end of the molding treatment in 9 patients. No complication was observed during the treatment in any of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nonsurgical molding can be used as an effective approach for achieving natural outcomes and correcting cosmetic abnormalities. Rate of satisfaction is dependent on type of deformity, the neonatal age in which treatment started and also parents' adherence to treatment methods and principals. Concerning the low rate of complications and high satisfactory results the method can be used instead of surgery in appropriate cases.
authors: Shiraz Burn Research Center, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran;
authors: Ali Akbar
authors: AA
authors: Mohammadi
authors: Shiraz Burn Research Center, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran;
authors: Mohammad Taghi
authors: MT
authors: Imani
authors: Shiraz Burn Research Center, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran;; Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors: Sina
authors: S
authors: Kardeh
authors: Shiraz Burn Research Center, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran;
authors: Mehrab Mohammad
authors: MM
authors: Karami
authors: Shiraz Burn Research Center, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran;
authors: Masoomeh
authors: M
authors: Kherad
keywords: Congenital auricular deformities; Management; Non-surgical