Background: 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. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusions: 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.

Background: Congenital microtia significantly impacts children’s psychological health, yet there has been limited focus on the effect of ear reconstruction surgery on psychological improvements, especially its pathway. This study aims to explore the role of ear appearance in improving psychological health in individuals with congenital unilateral microtia based on social identity theory, highlighting the limited understanding of the specific pathways involved in this relationship, and investigating how social function and benefit mediate the connection between ear appearance and psychological health in patients who underwent autologous cartilage ear reconstruction. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 96 patients with congenital unilateral microtia between January and June 2024 at the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, along with responses to the EAR-Q and Glasgow Children’s Benefit Inventory (GCBI) questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using multiple linear regression and the PROCESS macro in SPSS. Results: Mediation analysis revealed that social function and emotion mediated the relationship between ear appearance and psychological function (total effect = 0.82; direct effect = 0.21; indirect effect = 0.61). Three mediation pathways were identified: ear appearance influenced psychological function through social function, emotional benefit, and a combined effect of both. Conclusions: These findings underscore the critical role of social interaction and emotional health in shaping psychological outcomes for individuals with congenital unilateral microtia following reconstruction. The results offer valuable insights for developing targeted interventions to enhance psychological well-being in this population.

Early and accurate diagnosis of ear deformities in newborns is crucial for an effective non-surgical correction treatment, since this commonly seen ear anomalies would affect aesthetics and cause mental problems if untreated. It is not easy even for experienced physicians to diagnose the auricular deformities of newborns and the classification of the sub-types, because of the rich bio-metric features embedded in the ear shape. Machine learning has already been introduced to analyze the auricular shape. However, there is little publicly available datasets of ear images from newborns. We released a dataset that contains quality-controlled photos of 3,852 ears from 1,926 newborns. The dataset also contains medical diagnosis of the ear shape, and the health data of each newborn and its mother. Our aim is to provide a freely accessible dataset, which would facilitate researches related with ear anatomies, such as the AI-aided detection and classification of auricular deformities and medical risk analysis.

Objectives: This study examined the effectiveness of Byrd's EarWell system for the treatment of auricular helix adhesion.Methods: The newborns with helix adhesion were treated with ear molding. The photos of pinna were taken before, during, and after the treatment. The immediate and long-term outcomes, as well as the complications, were assessed by two independent plastic surgeons.Study design: A retrospective study. Data on family history, neonatal weight, gestational age, delivery method, laterality, gender, age of initiating treatment, medical comorbidities, duration of treatment, and follow-up time were collected.Study site and period: From 2019 to 2021, infants treated with the EarWell System in the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University were enrolled in this study.Results: A total of 46 newborns (66 ears) with helix adhesion were included. The average onset time of treatment was 4.57 ± 3.63 weeks. The average duration of treatment was 7.40 ± 2.05 weeks. 97.0% ears’ (64/66) immediate results were excellent or good. During long-term follow-up, 95.5% ears achieved excellent or good outcomes. Age of initiation treatment significantly affected immediate (p = 0.001) and long-term (p = 0.004) outcomes.Conclusions: EarWell System was an effective method to correct auricular helix adhesion. Using this approach, patients with helix adhesion could avoid surgeries. Age of initiation treatment was the predictor of successful correction.