Microtia / Ear Reconstruction
Address Ear Malformations in Newborns with Expert Surgical and Hearing Solutions
Newborn babies can be born with ears that have differences in shape and form that can range from modest to profound.
One group of ear differences is the malformations. In these situations, a portion of the ear is missing. Sometimes, there is a complete absence of any ear structures. Surgical correction is often required when these children are older.
Until that time, it is important for children to be able to hear and speak. This often requires hearing aids to maximize each child’s ability.
How is Ear Reconstruction Performed?
There are two main methods for ear reconstruction. The first method uses a prosthetic support structure which is then covered by a patient’s own tissue from the scalp. The second method uses a support structure fashioned from a patient’s rib cartilage.
The nuances, benefits, drawbacks, and risks to each procedure are very important to understand as patients will hopefully live long normal lives with this ear reconstruction. The ideal reconstruction minimizes the number of surgical procedures and protects against long term complications.
Each patient and family is unique in their goals and expectations. An individualized plan to optimize results and minimize morbidity is essential.
Please call our office to schedule an appointment to discuss all of the surgical options. To learn more, please contact our experienced Houston plastic surgeons, Dr. Michael Eisemann and Dr. Bradley Eisemann, at our accredited surgical center in Houston, Texas.
