Microtia is corrected by plastic surgeons specialized in craniofacial surgery. This is a congenital ear deformity that requires a detailed medical evaluation, and unfortunately not everyone with the condition is an ideal candidate for the reconstructive procedure. The patient would need to undergo a CT scan as part of the preliminary investigation to ascertain that the middle ear space has air. Those who do qualify can benefit from ears which appear natural and befitting their facial profile.
Reconstructive Ear Surgery for Children
The reconstructive ear surgery is quite demanding and necessitates about two procedures carried out with a gap of four months. Children between the age of five and seven are the best candidates. The innovative cosmetic procedure is unlike those involving artificial ear implants. It is safer and uncomplicated.
In the first part of the procedure, the patient‘s rib cartilage is utilized to function as the framework for the external ear. The harvested rib cartilage would be shaped to appear like an ear after which the craniofacial surgeon would position it underneath the skin in the position of the ear. This allows the skin to take the natural shape and form of the cartilage. In the second part of the procedure, done after four months, the healed ear which lies flat against the head is given the proper projection from the side. This is done using a skin graft and a small block of cartilage placed in a pocket under the skin.
Patients Benefit from Natural-looking Ears
The reconstructed ears can even be pierced for wearing earrings and it hardly takes much time under local anesthesia. With ear reconstruction surgery microtia can be corrected, and one can own natural-looking ears. The procedure does not entail any adverse side effects and the results obtained are positive and long lasting.