Comparison of two conchal formers for nonsurgical correction on Conchal Crus.

OBJECTIVES: Conchal Crus is a kind of congenital auricular deformation which is often overlooked. Few studies reported a large number of cases. We compared the efficacy of EarWell and self-made conchal formers on Conchal Crus to summarize our experience of correction and to find out the influencing factors.

METHODS: Two groups of Conchal Crus babies underwent conchal correction with the EarWell and self-made conchal formers respectively. The combined auricular deformities in these babies were corrected with EarWell Infant Ear Correction System. Conchal Crus deformity was classified as severe and mild. Auricular and conchal morphologic outcomes were graded as excellent, good, and poor.

RESULTS: The auricular morphologic results were comparable between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the effective (excellent plus good) rate between the two groups, but the excellent rate for conchal results in the Self-made group was significantly higher than that in the EarWell group. The former incidence of pressure ulcers was significantly lower than the latter. Multinomial regression analysis showed that the more severe conchal deformity was, the less likely the conchal shape tended to be improved.

CONCLUSION: Both conchal formers could correct Conchal Crus effectively. The self-made conchal former could make more excellent conchal fossae and lead to less pressure ulcers at the Conchal Crus. The degree of Conchal Crus deformity was an important influencing factor in the conchal correction outcome.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.