Efficacy of noninvasive correction of congenital auricle deformity: a 1-year follow-up study

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the outcome of noninvasive auricle correction of congenital auricle malformation and its rebound rate after 1-year follow-up. Methods The clinical data of 51 infants (66 ears) receiving noninvasive auricle correction in our hospital from January 2018 to January 2019 were collected, and the clinical characteristics and therapeutic effects of patients were analyzed. Follow-up was conducted at 3, 6 and 12 months after the correction, respectively, to observe the auricle rebound. Results Among the 51 cases, the correction effect presented significant in 43 cases (57 ears, 86.36%) and effective in 8 cases (9 ears, 13.64%). At 3, 6 and 12 months after the correction, 6 ears (9.09%), 9 ears (13.64%) and 9 ears (13.64%) recurred respectively, but the difference was not significant. According to the initial age of correction, the infants were divided into ≤30 d, 31~90 d and >90 d groups, and the rebound rate of each group was 12.5%(3 ears), 8%(2 ears) and 5.88%(1 ear), respectively (Chi-square=26.4, P < 0.05) at 3 months after the correction, while the rebound rate among groups showed no significance at 6 and 12 months. In light of the type of auricle deformity, the rebound rates of cup-shaped ear, annular ear and auricle deformity were 57.14% (4 ears), 15.79%(3 ears) and 20.00%(2 ears), respectively, at the 12th month after the correction, and there was no significant difference among them. Conclusion Noninvasive auricle correction effectively corrects congenital auricle malformation in children, with rebound cases occurring within 6 months after correction. The initial age of correction and the type of auricle deformity may be the influencing factors for rebound rate.

Keywords

• auricle deformity
• ear mold correction
• rebound