Ahmed Moumen, Al Saadawi Ghaith, Mendonca Derek A
DAHC.
Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
J Craniofac Surg. 2023 Oct 1;34(7):2133-2136. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000009574. Epub 2023 Aug 7.
EarWell infant ear molding device is a noninvasive, nonsurgical option to treat ear deformities in early infancy. There are no studies involving the parents' perspective to the use of the EarWell.
To investigate our experience with EarWell infant ear molding device and to assess the parents' satisfaction.
A retrospective case series study of infants with congenital ear deformities who were treated with EarWell device from October 2021 to November 2022. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Clinical photographs were obtained before, during, and after treatment. Parents' satisfaction level was assessed through telephone encounters and surveys, and issues associated with device application were identified. Clinical improvement of ear deformity was graded into poor, fair, good, and excellent.
A total of 9 patients with congenital ear deformities were identified and included in this study (7 bilateral deformities and 2 unilateral deformities). The mean adjusted age of the initial treatment is 17 weeks (4-23 weeks), and the mean treatment duration is 5.7 weeks. The authors received full 8 responses from the parents' survey, and all parents were satisfied with post-treatment results (4 satisfied, 1 fully satisfied, and 2 very satisfied). Issues associated with device application were 3 superficial skin ulcers and 4 skin irritation. Clinical Improvement grades were: 5 excellent improvement, 2 good improvement, and 2 fair improvement.
On the basis of our experience, the EarWell device has shown a high success rate and a low complication rate. It is well accepted by parents, but it needs close follow-up to detect minor device-related issues. The device is safe for multiple skin types.
EarWell婴儿耳模矫正器是一种用于治疗婴儿早期耳部畸形的非侵入性、非手术方法。目前尚无涉及家长对EarWell使用看法的研究。
探讨我们使用EarWell婴儿耳模矫正器的经验，并评估家长的满意度。
一项回顾性病例系列研究，研究对象为2021年10月至2022年11月期间使用EarWell矫正器治疗的先天性耳部畸形婴儿。收集人口统计学和临床数据。在治疗前、治疗期间和治疗后拍摄临床照片。通过电话沟通和调查评估家长的满意度，并确定与矫正器应用相关的问题。将耳部畸形的临床改善程度分为差、一般、良好和优秀。
本研究共纳入9例先天性耳部畸形患者（7例双侧畸形和2例单侧畸形）。初始治疗的平均矫正年龄为17周（4 - 23周），平均治疗时长为5.7周。作者收到了家长调查问卷的全部8份回复，所有家长对治疗后结果均满意（4例满意，1例非常满意，2例极其满意）。与矫正器应用相关的问题包括3例浅表皮肤溃疡和4例皮肤刺激。临床改善等级为：5例优秀改善，2例良好改善，2例一般改善。
基于我们的经验，EarWell矫正器显示出高成功率和低并发症发生率。它得到了家长的广泛认可，但需要密切随访以发现与矫正器相关的轻微问题。该矫正器对多种皮肤类型均安全。
