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Effectiveness of Ear Splint Therapy for Ear Deformities
Ji Eun Woo1, Yul-Hyun Park1, Eun Ji Park1
1The Center for Torticollis, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
Insights
Ear splint therapy effectively corrects infant ear deformities, showing significant improvement with no major complications. This safe treatment offers a positive outcome for pediatric ear conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Plastic Surgery
- Otolaryngology
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- Congenital ear deformities affect a significant number of newborns.
- Early intervention is crucial for successful correction of ear deformities.
- Non-surgical methods are preferred for their safety and efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ear splint therapy for pediatric ear deformities.
- To present clinical experience with ear splint application in infants.
- To assess physician and caregiver satisfaction with the treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 54 infants (≤3 months) with ear deformities treated with ear splints.
- Classification of ear deformities using standard terminology.
- Comparison of deformity severity via physician ratings before and after treatment.
- Assessment of physician versus caregiver ratings post-therapy.
Main Results:
- 41 infants (72.5%) completed therapy, with a mean treatment duration of 44.27 days.
- Significant improvement in ear deformity severity noted (p<0.001) based on physician ratings.
- No significant difference between physician and caregiver ratings post-treatment (p=0.297).
Conclusions:
- Ear splint therapy demonstrates significant efficacy in correcting infant ear deformities.
- The treatment is a safe and effective intervention with minimal complications.
- Positive outcomes are supported by both clinical assessment and caregiver perception.
Objective:
To present our experience with ear splint therapy for babies with ear deformities, and thereby demonstrate that this therapy is an effective and safe intervention without significant complications.
Methods:
This was a retrospective study of 54 babies (35 boys and 19 girls; 80 ears; age ≤3 months) with ear deformities who had received ear splint therapy at the Center for Torticollis, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ajou University Hospital between December 2014 and February 2016. Before the initiation of ear splint therapy, ear deformities were classified with reference to the standard terminology. We compared the severity of ear deformity before and after ear splint therapy by using the physician's ratings. We also compared the physician's ratings and the caregiver's ratings on completion of ear splint therapy.
Results:
Among these 54 babies, 41 children (58 ears, 72.5%) completed the ear splint therapy. The mean age at initiation of therapy was 52.91±18.26 days and the treatment duration was 44.27±32.06 days. Satyr ear, forward-facing ear lobe, Darwinian notch, overfolded ear, and cupped ear were the five most common ear deformities. At the completion of therapy, the final physician's ratings of ear deformities were significantly improved compared to the initial ratings (8.28±1.44 vs. 2.51±0.92; p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the physician's ratings and the caregiver's ratings at the completion of ear splint therapy (8.28±1.44 vs. 8.0±1.61; p=0.297).
Conclusion:
We demonstrated that ear splint therapy significantly improved ear deformities in babies, as measured by quantitative rating scales. Ear splint therapy is an effective and safe intervention for babies with ear deformities.
