SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, Brooklyn.
Donald & Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University/Northwell, Hempstead.
J Craniofac Surg. 2022;33(8):e822-e828. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000008758. Epub 2022 Aug 1.
After 3 weeks of age, studies show ear molding to be unsuccessful due to increased regression rates. Studies have not differentiated success rates based on regression severity; partial regressions may be deemed successful and satisfactory by parents. We examined successful ear molding at different ages of presentation by measuring regression severity and parental satisfaction.
Patients who presented to [blinded for review] for ear molding from January 2017 to October 2018 were eligible for inclusion. Molds were applied on the initial visit and monitored biweekly. Treatment length was based on age, deformity type, and severity. One month after treatment completion, parents completed a satisfaction survey where they assessed regression on a 3-point severity scale.
A total of 165 patients were included in this study. Sixty-seven were younger than 3 weeks of age and had an overall correction rate of 95%. The complete correction rate was 80% and only 5% saw complete regression. In the remaining 98, the overall correction rate was 94%, with a 63% complete correction rate. Only 6% saw complete regression. There was no statistical significance in parental satisfaction, perceived improvement, or likelihood to recommend ear molding between age groups.
Regression rates are higher in children older than 3 weeks although not statistically significant. Most regressions were partial and ear molding still significantly corrected most deformities. We suggest that ear molding be offered past 3 weeks of age, with maximum age being dependent on deformity type, as it still leads to high parental satisfaction.
3 周龄后，研究表明由于回归率增加，耳部塑形不成功。研究没有根据回归严重程度区分成功率；部分回归可能被父母认为是成功和满意的。我们通过测量回归严重程度和父母满意度来检查不同就诊年龄的耳部塑形成功情况。
2017 年 1 月至 2018 年 10 月期间，在[审查机构名称]因耳部塑形就诊的患者符合纳入标准。初次就诊时应用模具，并每两周监测一次。治疗时间取决于年龄、畸形类型和严重程度。治疗完成后 1 个月，父母完成满意度调查，他们根据 3 分严重程度量表评估回归情况。
共有 165 名患者纳入本研究。67 名患者年龄小于 3 周，总体矫正率为 95%。完全矫正率为 80%，仅 5%出现完全回归。在其余 98 名患者中，总体矫正率为 94%，完全矫正率为 63%。仅 6%出现完全回归。年龄组之间在父母满意度、感知改善或推荐耳部塑形的可能性方面无统计学意义。
尽管统计学上无显著差异，但 3 周龄以上儿童的回归率更高。大多数回归是部分的，耳部塑形仍然显著矫正了大多数畸形。我们建议在 3 周龄后提供耳部塑形，最大年龄取决于畸形类型，因为它仍然可以带来很高的父母满意度。
