Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2025
Author Spotlight: Optimizing EAS with Long Electrodes for Enhanced Cochlear Coverage and Hearing Preservation
Published on: October 11, 2024
Prospective Study of Nonsurgical Auricular Correction According to Timing of Treatment
Myeonggu Seo1, Jungwoo Lee1, Hyun-Min Lee1
1From the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Biomedical Research Institute, Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital.
Insights
Nonsurgical correction of congenital auricular anomalies is most effective within two weeks of birth. While later correction is possible, it requires longer treatment and has lower success rates, though counseling is advised for eligible patients.
Area of Science:
- Plastic surgery
- Pediatric medicine
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Nonsurgical auricular correction is recommended in early infancy due to high cartilage plasticity.
- Many infants are ineligible for early correction, necessitating investigation into later treatment timings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of nonsurgical auricular correction at different treatment timings.
- To evaluate outcomes for infants treated after the optimal correction period.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 35 patients (53 ears) with congenital auricular anomalies.
- Patients were divided into an early correction group (within 2 weeks of birth) and a late correction group (8 weeks after birth).
- Outcomes assessed included aesthetic results, caregiver satisfaction, device detachment rates, and duration of treatment.
Main Results:
- The early group (n=31) showed a detachment rate of 12.9% compared to 66.7% in the late group (n=18), a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01).
- Average treatment duration was significantly longer in the late group (8.5 ± 4.1 weeks) versus the early group (4.7 ± 1.2 weeks) (P = 0.001).
- Good aesthetic results were achieved in 87.1% of the early group compared to 55.6% in the late group (P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Early nonsurgical auricular correction yields shorter treatment periods, lower detachment rates, and superior outcomes.
- Successful correction is achievable even after the optimal period, but patients should be counseled regarding potential challenges and outcomes.
Background:
Many studies recommend nonsurgical auricular correction during the early postnatal period, when cartilage plasticity is high; however, many patients are not eligible for the procedure. This study compared different timings of nonsurgical auricular correction to investigate benefit after the optimal period for correction.
Methods:
In this prospective study, 53 ears from 35 patients with congenital auricular anomaly were assigned to 2 groups according to age at correction: the early group, with correction within 2 weeks of birth, and the late group, with correction 8 weeks after birth. Aesthetic outcomes, caregiver satisfaction, detachment rates, and mean device-wearing periods were compared.
Results:
Thirty-one ears from 20 patients constituted the early group, and 18 ears from 12 patients constituted the late group. Mean time to treatment after birth was 9.09 days in the early group and 134.7 days in the late group. In the early group, detachment occurred in 4 of 31 ears (12.9%), and in the late group, detachment occurred in 12 of 18 ears (66.7%), which was statistically significant ( P < 0.01). The average period of applying devices was 4.7 ± 1.2 weeks in the early group and 8.5 ± 4.1 weeks in the late group, with a significantly longer treatment time in the late group ( P = 0.001). The early group had 87.1% good results versus 55.6% good results in the late group, with a statistically significant difference.
Conclusions:
The correction period was shorter, detachment rate was lower, and treatment outcome was better in the early group. However, successful correction was also present in the late group, showing that the patients who have passed the optimum correction period should proceed after counseling.
Clinical Question/Level Of Evidence:
Therapeutic, II.
More Related Videos
07:06Endaural Endoscopic Atticoantrotomy Retrograde Mastoidectomy using a Constant Suction Bone-drilling Technique
Published on: May 23, 2021
09:07Author Spotlight: Advancing Endoscopic Ossiculoplasty – Techniques, Innovations, and Practical Guidance for Clinical Integration
Published on: January 26, 2024