Ear Reconstruction

Ear reconstruction for congenital birth deformities, such as microtia or anotia, involves surgical procedures aimed at reconstructing the external ear to improve its appearance and function. Microtia is a condition where the outer ear is underdeveloped or absent, while anotia refers to the complete absence of the external ear.

Pre-operative Evaluation: Before surgery, the patient undergoes a comprehensive evaluation by a plastic surgeon or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) specializing in ear reconstruction. This evaluation may include a physical examination, imaging studies, and discussion of the patient's cosmetic and functional goals.

Surgical Planning: The surgical approach to ear reconstruction is highly individualized based on the specific deformity, the patient's age, and other factors. The surgeon will discuss the available options with the patient and develop a customized surgical plan to achieve the desired outcome.

Surgical Procedure: Ear reconstruction for congenital birth deformities may involve one or more surgical procedures, including:

• Rib cartilage grafting: In many cases of microtia, rib cartilage grafts are used to create a framework for the new ear. The surgeon harvests rib cartilage from the patient's own rib cage and sculpts it into the shape of an ear framework.
• Tissue expansion: In some cases, tissue expanders may be placed under the skin near the affected ear to stretch the skin and create additional tissue for ear reconstruction.
• Skin grafting: Once the ear framework is created, the surgeon covers it with skin grafts taken from other parts of the body, such as the groin or behind the ear.
• Ear elevation and contouring: The surgeon carefully sculpts and refines the shape of the reconstructed ear to achieve a natural appearance and proper positioning on the side of the head.
• Ear canal construction (if necessary): In cases where the ear canal is absent or underdeveloped (atresia), additional surgical procedures may be performed to create a functional ear canal.
• Suture techniques: Specialized suturing techniques are used to create natural-looking ear contours and achieve optimal symmetry with the unaffected ear.