Efficacy of Ear Molding in Infants using the EarWell Infant Correction System and Factors Affecting Outcome

Chan, Stephanie L S; Lim, Gale J S; Por, Yong Chen; Chiang, Ming Fang; Ho, Shuxian; Saffari, Seyed Ehsan; Chia, Hui-Ling

doi:10.1097/prs.0000000000006057

Cited by 37 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…In addition, in human beings, the pinna plays a major role in our appearance, and as such abnormally shaped pinnas impact on daily life. Microtia is treated by ear reconstruction surgery or the use of ear molds in infants to correct the shape of the pinna ( Chan et al, 2019 ). Ear surgery is challenging because the pinna’s appearance varies considerably between patients.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Essential Requirement for Fgf10 in Pinna Extension Sheds Light on Auricle Defects in LADD Syndrome

Yang

Fons

Hajihosseini

et al. 2020

Front. Cell Dev. Biol.

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The pinna (or auricle) is part of the external ear, acting to capture and funnel sound toward the middle ear. The pinna is defective in a number of craniofacial syndromes, including Lacrimo-auriculo-dento-digital (LADD) syndrome, which is caused by mutations in FGF10 or its receptor FGFR2b. Here we study pinna defects in the Fgf10 knockout mouse. We show that Fgf10 is expressed in both the muscles and forming cartilage of the developing external ear, with loss of signaling leading to a failure in the normal extension of the pinna over the ear canal. Conditional knockout of Fgf10 in the neural crest fails to recapitulate this phenotype, suggesting that the defect is due to loss of Fgf10 from the muscles, or that this source of Fgf10 can compensate for loss in the forming cartilage. The defect in the Fgf10 null mouse is driven by a reduction in proliferation, rather than an increase in cell death, which can be partially phenocopied by inhibiting cell proliferation in explant culture. Overall, we highlight the mechanisms that could lead to the phenotype observed in LADD syndrome patients and potentially explain the formation of similar low-set and cup shaped ears observed in other syndromes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Essential Requirement for Fgf10 in Pinna Extension Sheds Light on Auricle Defects in LADD Syndrome

Yang

Fons

Hajihosseini

et al. 2020

Front. Cell Dev. Biol.

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“…In the treatment of cryptotia, Daniali et al 31 stabilized the pinna out of its buried position before applying the EarWell device. Chan et al 30 held the helix distracted for 2 weeks. Vincent et al 38 used a self-developed system for Stahl deformities, as they considered the EarWell device unfit for this anomaly.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…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 …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-surgical Correction of Congenital Ear Anomalies: A Review of the Literature

Feijen

Cruchten

Payne

et al. 2020

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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Summary Congenital ear anomalies have been known to cause lasting psychosocial consequences for children. Congenital ear anomalies can generally be divided into malformations (chondro-cutaneous defect) and deformations (misshaped pinna). Operative techniques are the standard for correction at a minimal age of 5–7, exposing the children to teasing and heavy complications. Ear molding is a non-operative technique to treat ear anomalies at a younger age. Having been popularized since the 1980s, its use has increased over the past decades. However, uncertainties about its properties remain. Therefore, this review was conducted to look at what is known and what has been newly discovered in the last decade, comparing different treatment methods and materials. A literature search was performed on PubMed, and 16 articles, published in the last decade, were included. It was found that treatment initiated at an early age showed higher satisfactory outcome rates and a shorter duration of treatment. A shorter duration of treatment also led to higher satisfactory rates, which might be attributable to age at initiation, individual moldability, and treatment compliance. Complications were minor in all articles. Recurrence rate was low and mostly concerned prominent ears, which proved to be the most difficult to correct deformity as well. Malformations, however, were even more difficult to treat than deformations. Our analysis shows ear molding to be a successful treatment method for ear anomalies with a preference for early diagnosis and treatment.

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“…6 , 19 Moreover, a constricted ear, apart from being mishappened, has deficiency of skin and cartilage, and a lower rate of success with ear moulding is expected. 20 The rate of complications 20 and risk of moulding interruption are also higher in an older infant. If a decision is made to proceed with moulding in an older infant, we would emphasize during parental counselling that ear moulding outcome is variable after 6 weeks of age to manage their expectations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%