Open Access
CC BY 4.0 · Arch Plast Surg 2023; 50(06): 563-567
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1771271
Pediatric/Craniomaxillofacial/Head & Neck
Idea and Innovation

A Fully Digital Auricular Splint Workflow for Post-Keloid Excision

Rahmat Maria 
1   Department of Restorative Dentistry, National Dental Centre of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
,
Yee Onn Kok 
2   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
,
Khim Hean Teoh 
3   Department of Restorative Dentistry, National Dental Centre of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
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Abstract

Ear keloids are challenging lesions to treat due to high recurrence rates postexcision. Conservative compression techniques as adjunct treatment have been reported to be effective. An innovative technique of using computer-aided design/computed-aided manufacturing to print a customized auricular splint improves efficiency and comfort level for patients compared with conventional methods. The ear is scanned using an intraoral scanning 2 weeks postsurgery. A two-piece auricular splint is designed on the digital model, incorporating perforated projections for three nylon screws for retention of the splint. The splint is printed with clear acrylic material, postprocessed, and finished. The patient is taught to assemble the components of the splint and instructed to wear for at least 8 hours daily. The surgery site reviewed for any ulceration, pain, or recurrence of keloid for 6 months. During the 6-month review, the excision scar remained flat and pink. The patient also reports unrestricted daily activities. The digital workflow increases comfort for the patient and reduces the number of hours required to produce a customized auricular splint compared with conventional methods. A fully digital workflow for a printed auricular splint should be considered for adjunctive treatment to excision of ear keloids.

Keywords

printed auricular splint - digital workflow - ear keloid

Authors' Contributions

Conceptualization: Y.O.K., K.H.T., and R.M.

Data curation: R.M. and Y.O.K.

Methodology: K.H.T., and R.M.

Writing - original draft, review and editing: R.M.


Ethical Approval

The study was performed in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.


Patient Consent

The patient provided written informed consent for the publication and the use of his images and medical data.




Publication History

Received: 23 March 2023

Accepted: 15 June 2023

Article published online:
31 August 2023

© 2023. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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