Oreja de Stahl

What is a Stahl's ear?

La deformidad conocida como “oreja de Stahl” tiene lugar cuando hay un pliegue adicional en el cartílago de la oreja. Este pliegue adicional se extiende hasta el borde helicoidal y suele darle a la oreja una apariencia prominente y, con frecuencia, una forma en punta. Algunas personas han descrito este rasgo como “oreja de duende”.

This ear difference is may be called a pointed ear, Vulcan ear, elf ear or Spock ear. It commonly develops when the upper portion of the ear is tightened by an extra ridge or crus. Stahl's ear is a congenital ear deformity.

How is Stahl's ear treated?

• Nonsurgical ear molding - If detected in the first 1-2 months of life, the Stahl deformity can be treated effectively with non-surgical ear molding.
• Surgery (otoplasty) - If not caught in the first two months of life, the treatment for Stahl’s ear is to have a surgery. The cartilage of the ear is very soft and weak before age five, so we usually wait until after five years of age to let the cartilage strengthen and increase the chance that the otoplasty will be successful. In this surgery the extra crease is completely excised from the ear and the ear is often further reshaped with stitches placed in the cartilage of the ear. The incision is closed with dissolvable stitches.

Other considerations in terms of timing for surgery for Stahl's ear deformity includes the patient’s ability to be cooperative with the care required after surgery and the presence or absence of teasing from peers. En general, somos partidarios de llevar a cabo la reconstrucción de cualquier tipo de deformidad de las orejas antes de que surjan problemas de burlas. El momento ideal para esta cirugía es después de los 5 años de edad, habitualmente entre los 5 y los 7 años. La incidencia de las burlas aumenta significativamente después de los 7 años.

Se necesita de 1 a 2 semanas de recuperación antes de regresar a las actividades diarias habituales, como ir a la escuela.