Jordan M H, Gallagher J M, Allely R R, Leman C J
Burn Center, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC 20010.
J Burn Care Rehabil. 1992 Nov-Dec;13(6):673-7.
Full-thickness burns to the external ear can produce loss of skin and cartilage and can result in severe cosmetic deformity. Even partial-thickness burns render the ear vulnerable to tissue loss if the helix is subjected to pressure from pillows, dressings, or straps that are used to secure endotracheal tubes. Because of the incidence of burned ear deformities and the difficulty in reconstructing the external ear, an ear protection device has been designed. The bilateral ear protection device, referred to as "headgear", is fitted to all patients in the burn center who require intubation for an inhalation injury; it is worn continuously until extubation. During a 15-month period 39 consecutive critically burned patients were fitted with the headgear because of the need for ventilator support and/or for protection of the burned ear(s). Pressure necrosis of ear tissue was prevented in all 33 survivors.
外耳全层烧伤可导致皮肤和软骨缺失，并可能造成严重的外观畸形。即使是浅度烧伤，如果耳轮受到枕头、敷料或用于固定气管插管的束带的压迫，耳部也容易出现组织缺失。鉴于耳部烧伤畸形的发生率以及外耳重建的困难，已设计出一种耳部保护装置。这种双侧耳部保护装置，即“头套”，为烧伤中心所有因吸入性损伤需要插管的患者佩戴；持续佩戴直至拔管。在15个月的时间里，39例连续的严重烧伤患者因需要呼吸机支持和/或保护烧伤的耳朵而佩戴了头套。所有33名幸存者均未发生耳部组织的压迫性坏死。
