A Novel Ear Molding Technique for Conchal Crus and Stahl Ear Deformities

Conchal crus and Stahl ear deformities pose challenges in pediatric plastic surgery. Surgical interventions are associated with complications such as infections, hematomas, and keloids. Ear molding is a nonsurgical method effective for newborns but reportedly less so for older infants. This study aims to demonstrate the findings following the application of a novel ear molding technique in infants with conchal crus and Stahl ear deformities.

This retrospective study included 30 infants (age ≤ 3 mo of age) with conchal crus and Stahl ear deformities (n=39 ears). A 3-minute instructional video and survey with de-identified photographs of patient ears was distributed to medical student and pediatric health care professional participants. Participants rated outcomes ranging on a scale from "excellent" to "poor." For conchal crus deformities, custom silicone prostheses were used. For Stahl ear deformities, a custom clip device was employed.

In our treatment of 39 ears from 30 infants utilizing the novel ear-molding technique, the average age of the patient was 9 weeks and treatment length was 8 weeks. The "excellent" and "good" categories garnered the majority of ratings for both deformity types. Ratings for conchal crus deformities were 46.43% "excellent" and 37.70% "good." Stahl ear deformities had 45.24% "excellent" and 42.86% "good" ratings.

Our novel ear molding techniques are effective nonsurgical treatments for conchal crus and Stahl ear deformities in infants, as evidenced by favorable ratings from health care professionals and medical students.