Treatment and Care for Microtia

Microtia Treatment – a Positive Solution to Rebuild Normal Looking Ears

Microtia is a congenital anomaly of the ears which may lead to hearing disabilities or facial disfigurement. In some children, abnormalities are seen in one ear (unilateral microtia) but there are chances for irregularities with both ears (bilateral microtia). With the advancement of technology, treatment and care for microtia has gained new momentum. Other alternatives to reconstructive surgery are prosthetic ear and ear implant. Most experienced plastic surgeons do not recommend any treatment if the microtia is mild and not recognizable.

Physical diagnosis can reveal microtia even during the early stages of childhood. You can trust an AAAASF plastic surgery facility for safe and effective microtia treatment. Personalized treatment and care for your child is assured in such facilities.

Treatment Options for Microtia

Microtia treatment involves reconstructive surgery using rib cartilage and skin graft. Microtia ear surgery involves different surgical phases. Normally a 3 to 6 month gap is provided between each phase to enhance healing process.

• In the first stage, cartilage from the rib is harvested and carved into the shape of an ear. Then that new ear is placed under the skin of the microtic ear. The skin adopts the shape of the cartilage and the natural shape of the ear is formed. This surgery requires five hours and the recovery period is about three days.
• The second stage of the procedure involves repositioning of the ear by elevating the ear using skin graft. This surgery is provided four months after the first surgery when the ear has completely healed. The fully developed ear is lifted from the side of the head and held in that position with the help of a skin graft and a small block of cartilage placed in a pocket beneath the skin.

However, bilateral microtia treatment is more challenging. The plastic surgeon has to sculpt the new ear to suit the facial symmetry as no ears are available for comparison to make a framework. Anatomy of the inner, middle and external ear are considered in bilateral microtia treatment. Defects of such parts and hearing impairments are corrected as part of the microtia surgery.

Microtia ear reconstruction is a delicate procedure which requires expertise and artistic talent on the part of the plastic surgeon. Children aged 6 or more can undergo this treatment.

Supportive and Follow-up Care

An experienced and skilled plastic surgeon will provide the right treatment to ensure effectiveness of the surgical procedure and safety of the child. Supportive care to prevent infections and side-effects are provided promptly. Post-operative care, effective counseling and emotional support are necessary to bring the child back to normal conditions. Reliable plastic surgeries offer dedicated treatment and care during and after microtia surgery. So make sure that you approach a plastic surgeon offering services at an AAAASF accredited plastic surgery center.