TY - JOUR
T1 - The non-operative correction of ear anomalies in infants using the EarWell infant corrective system in the Netherlands
AU - van Cruchten, Cas
AU - Feijen, Michelle M W
AU - Lazaâr, Sherida
AU - Piatkowski, Andrzej
AU - van der Hulst, Rene R W J
PY - 2024/3/21
Y1 - 2024/3/21
N2 - BACKGROUND: Congenital ear anomalies are regular but often overlooked occurrences. The golden standard of treatment has been to surgically correct these anomalies at a minimum age of 5 to 7 years. As of the last century, ear molding has developed to be a safe, reliable, and effective treatment method. Different treatment methods are still under investigation. This study aims to investigate the use of the EarWell Infant Corrective System in the Dutch population. METHODS: Children aged 0-12 weeks were included in the Zuyderland Medical Center to be treated with the EarWell Infant Corrective System in case of ear deformations. Every 2 weeks, the system was replaced and correction was evaluated by both physician and parents. RESULTS: Seventy-three participants were included, of whom 123 ears in total were treated. Age at initiation was 35.5 days on average; treatment lasted an average of 59 days. Parents and physicians both reported an amelioration of all ear anomalies after treatment, scoring the correction grade an 8.8. Overall satisfaction with the treatment method was 9 or higher for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The EarWell Infant Corrective System is a safe, reliable, and effective treatment method for the correction of ear anomalies in infants.
AB - BACKGROUND: Congenital ear anomalies are regular but often overlooked occurrences. The golden standard of treatment has been to surgically correct these anomalies at a minimum age of 5 to 7 years. As of the last century, ear molding has developed to be a safe, reliable, and effective treatment method. Different treatment methods are still under investigation. This study aims to investigate the use of the EarWell Infant Corrective System in the Dutch population. METHODS: Children aged 0-12 weeks were included in the Zuyderland Medical Center to be treated with the EarWell Infant Corrective System in case of ear deformations. Every 2 weeks, the system was replaced and correction was evaluated by both physician and parents. RESULTS: Seventy-three participants were included, of whom 123 ears in total were treated. Age at initiation was 35.5 days on average; treatment lasted an average of 59 days. Parents and physicians both reported an amelioration of all ear anomalies after treatment, scoring the correction grade an 8.8. Overall satisfaction with the treatment method was 9 or higher for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The EarWell Infant Corrective System is a safe, reliable, and effective treatment method for the correction of ear anomalies in infants.
KW - Craniofacial anomaly
KW - Ear molding
KW - Infants
KW - Innovative treatment
KW - Non-operative correction
U2 - 10.1016/j.bjps.2024.03.002
DO - 10.1016/j.bjps.2024.03.002
M3 - Article
SN - 1748-6815
VL - 93
SP - 9
EP - 17
JO - Journal of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
JF - Journal of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
ER -