David Gault FRCS is one of the world's leading experts on the outer ear, and designer of the Ear Buddies™ products. He campaigns against the use of anterior scoring surgery to correct bat ears, advocating that all minor ear deformity can be corrected at birth. If the baby is too old for splintage, he recommends otoplasty using a suture technique, rather than scoring, which has a higher risk of infection and deformity.
Says Mr Gault, "All babies with obviously prominent or deformed ears would benefit from being fitted with Ear Buddies™ splints as soon as possible, and preferably in the first week of life. Failing this, the splints should be fitted without delay as soon as ear prominence is noted. It is important to remember that one third of sticking-out ears do not show up until baby is three months of age, and so, particularly if there is a strong family history of prominent ears, consideration should be given to splinting even normal ears for just two weeks at birth.
Ears which are pushed forwards, for example during sleep, or by baby’s shoulder as their head is turned, are at risk of prominence and deformity and should be splinted."
Ear Buddies™ splints are easy enough for parents to fit themselves, but some need more reassurance, particularly if baby's ears are unusual. Unfortunately under the present system, NHS referrals to a Consultant Plastic Surgeon take weeks and even months to set up, and valuable time can be lost if parents wait to be seen.
Even so, success with late splintage is still possible if the parents are determined enough. "The most dedicated of the parents who find out about splintage late are those who have suffered bat ears themselves and are willing to do anything to prevent their children being teased.
I feel passionately that surgery for sticking out or misshapen ears is unnecessary and occasionally deforming and dangerous. It really should become a thing of the past."