From the ENT Institute.
Department of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Eye & ENT Hospital.
Plast Reconstr Surg. 2024 Apr 1;153(4):905-913. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000010678. Epub 2023 May 15.
The EarWell System offers a correction opportunity for infants born with ear anomalies. However, the long-term effectiveness of ear molding remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the long-term effectiveness of this novel technique and to determine the risk factors for recurrence.
This retrospective, population-based cohort study was performed from 2017 through 2021. Infants who completed ear molding therapy and were followed up for longer than 6 months were enrolled. The main outcomes were immediate and long-term efficacy, which were graded by two blinded plastic surgeons.
A total of 226 infants (334 ears) were recruited. The most common anomalies were helical deformities [113 ears (33.8%)], and the rarest were cryptotia [five ears (1.5%)] and conchal crus [five ears (1.5%)]. The age at initiation of treatment was a factor affecting both immediate ( P = 0.004) and long-term effectiveness ( P = 0.009). The type of anomaly also influenced long-term molding outcomes. For cup ears, the success rate of long-term outcomes (76.0%) was significantly lower than that of immediate outcomes (98.7%) ( P < 0.001). Prominent ear, cup ear, and microtia were found to be the most likely to relapse during long-term follow-up. The results of logistic regression also demonstrated age, duration time, and the type of anomaly to be risk factors of ear molding effects.
The EarWell System was shown to be a secure and effective method for treatment of congenital ear anomalies. Some infants' ear anomalies recurred after successful immediate results. The age at initiation of treatment and the type of anomaly were predictors of long-term outcomes.
CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.
EarWell 系统为患有耳部畸形的婴儿提供了矫正机会。然而，耳模矫正的长期效果尚不清楚。本研究旨在探讨这种新技术的长期效果，并确定复发的风险因素。
这是一项回顾性、基于人群的队列研究，于 2017 年至 2021 年进行。纳入完成耳模矫正治疗且随访时间超过 6 个月的婴儿。主要结局为即刻和长期疗效，由两名盲法整形医生进行评估。
共纳入 226 名婴儿（334 只耳朵）。最常见的畸形是耳轮畸形[113 只耳朵（33.8%）]，最罕见的是隐耳[5 只耳朵（1.5%）]和舟状耳[5 只耳朵（1.5%）]。治疗开始时的年龄是影响即刻（P=0.004）和长期疗效（P=0.009）的因素。畸形类型也影响长期矫正效果。对于杯状耳，长期疗效（76.0%）的成功率明显低于即刻疗效（98.7%）（P<0.001）。随访期间，高位耳、杯状耳和小耳畸形最有可能复发。Logistic 回归分析结果也表明，年龄、持续时间和畸形类型是耳模矫正效果的风险因素。
EarWell 系统是治疗先天性耳部畸形的一种安全有效的方法。一些婴儿的耳部畸形在即刻矫正成功后复发。治疗开始时的年龄和畸形类型是长期疗效的预测因素。
临床问题/证据水平：风险，III 级。
