Neonatal molding for minor deformities of auricular cartilage: a simple method

• Published in: Archives de pédiatrie : organe officiel de la Société française de pédiatrie Vol. 18; no. 3; pp. 349 - 351
• Main Authors: Calonge, W M, Sinna, R, Dobreanu, C, Tosa, Y, Hosaka, Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01-03-2011
• Subjects: Congenital Abnormalities - therapy; Ear Cartilage - abnormalities; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - instrumentation
• ISSN: 1769-664X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arcped.2011.01.001

Non-surgical correction of minor ear deformities by external splinting during neonatal age is a well-known, effective technique, but not frequently used in France. We would like to popularize an established, simple method that uses cheap, available means (a wire, adhesive strips and a silicone probe). It can be performed by parents, paediatricians and nurses. Spreading this method would allow early onset of treatment and better clinical results. On the long run, it would have a certain economic aftermath on national health insurance by reducing the number of surgical procedures for deformed ears.