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| OTOPLASTY |
- non-surgical treatment of protruding ears
A non-surgical method of treatment for protruding ears does exist. However it is only of use in the first few weeks of life. Unfortunately, at this stage many parents are not concerned about the position and appearance of their infant's ears. However if a family member, nurse or doctor recognizes the problem and a plastic surgeon is called it may be possible to splint the ear and reshape it. In this way an otoplasty later in life may be avoided.
Immediately after birth the cartilage of the birth is very soft. There are many suggested reasons for this. Some doctors feel that the hormone, relaxin, which helps to loosen the mother's pelvic cartilage and aid delivery, also softens the baby's ear cartilage. Estrogen is also felt to soften facial and skull cartilage and aid the passage of the fetus.
Ear cartilage is made of cells called chondrocytes with fluid between the cells, called intercellular material. This intercellular material is a mixture of chemicals, including collagen and elastin. When the baby is born the intercellular materials are surrounded and separated by a large amount of hyaluronic acid. This accounts for the lack of elasticity.
Hyaluronic acid is increased by estrogen. When the baby is born the estrogen levels in the baby's blood are high. The level of estrogen gradually decreases over several weeks. If the ear can be held in its corrected position until the cartilage changes then surgery may be avoided.
 The treatment involves molding the ear into its new shape and holding it in place for about four to six weeks. The chances of success, at least partially, are quite high. The main problem is that the tapes and dressings used to hold the ear in place can damage the delicate skin.
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