Early Intervention for Neonatal Ear Deformities

Early Intervention
for Neonatal Ear
Deformities
Wendy Mackey, APRN, CORLN
8th Annual
Pediatric Otolaryngology Symposium
October 10, 2013
Baby 1

7day old
presents
with Stahl’s
deformity
Molding
1 week later
After 2 weeks
Before
After
Neonatal Ear Deformities
that may benefit from molding




Constricted ear (lop or cup ear)
 Partial absence of skin and
cartilage involving the helical
rim, scapha and/or concha
Cryptotia (pocket ear)
 Superior portion of the
auricle is hidden under the
scalp
Prominent ears (Dumbo ears)
 Ears project more than
normal distance from head,
may lack an antihelical fold
Stahl’s ear (Spock or elf ear)
 Flattened ear rim and
deformed upper portions of
ear
Baby 2

2month old baby
presents with ear
deformity
Molded
4 days later
10 days later
Before
After
In Summary



Ear molding is a nonsurgical procedure
that—when started soon after a baby’s
birth—can correct a number of common ear
deformities
For most cases, it eliminates the need for
patients to undergo corrective plastic
surgery when they are older
Early referral and intervention is key
Thank you!!