Am J Otolaryngol. 2026 Jul 2;47(5):104882. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2026.104882. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy, optimal timing, procedure and influencing factors of non-invasive correction for various congenital auricular deformities in newborns.
METHODS: Retrospective study of 68 congenital auricular deformities in newborns (117 ears), including morphological and structural defects (2024-2025). Patients were divided into four groups: simple treated with self-made support strips, and others including those helical rim deformities with cartilage adhesions, microtia group and other deformities group corrected with EarWell system. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 23.0.
RESULTS: The average age at initial correction was 22.38 days. No complications occurred in the self-made strip group, while mild adverse reactions in other groups were relieved after symptomatic treatment. The overall excellent rate reached 80.34%, with higher rates in helical rim groups and lower in microtia group. The average correction duration was 6.9 weeks. Notably, the self-made strip group had a significantly shorter correction duration (P = 0.0087).
CONCLUSION: Satisfactory correction outcome can be achieved with a simple helical support strip for mild helical rim abnormalities without skin or cartilage adhesion. The EarWell Infant Ear Correction System effectively addresses external ear abnormalities and minor malformations. Earlier treatment initiation correlates with a shorter correction duration, superior clinical outcomes, and fewer complications.
PMID:42480176 | DOI:10.1016/j.amjoto.2026.104882
