Congenital anomalies of the auricle: correction using external splints

Abstract

Congenital external ear anomalies can lead to severe psychological problems in children. These defects can be corrected by splinting in the first five days following the birth of the child, avoiding psychological problems and those arising from surgical treatment. An external prosthesis of flexible wire covered with a silicon tube is used. These are attached with surgical tape and are kept on for 2–3 weeks. This treatment has been performed on 45 external ears having several types of anomaly. In the cases reviewed the results were 70% good and 30% mediocre. This treatment is simple, atraumatic and gives good permanent results for most protruding ears, lop ears, Stahl's ears and lobe evertion, and mediocre results in all the cup ears. If used more frequently, it would avoid, to a large extent, the need for later surgical treatment and possible psychological, physical and financial problems for the patient and family.