subject: Ear Surgery Reconstruction: The Ins And Outs Of Surgical Ear Reconstruction [print this page] A misshapen ear can be caused by either genetic defect or some kind of trauma. It can be a difficult thing to live with since the ears are prominent on the head and not everyone has long flowing hair to cover them up. A reconstruction surgery offers a solution to birth defects and trauma.
A common genetic defect is microtia, which is a condition where the ear doesn't fully form. There are a three different forms and degrees in which it can present itself. The least severe degree also called grade one, is when the ear is smaller than normal and is possibly missing the auditory canal. The next degree or grade two of severity includes noticeably missing parts of the ear, such as the outer cartilage. Grade three is the most severe.
The organ is entirely malformed, no cartilage, auditory canal or even a lobe is present. Sometimes, there is a lobe but it is deformed. Unilateral microtia affects one ear while bilateral microtia affects both. There may be hearing loss with a bilateral condition.
The ear surgery reconstruction procedure for microtia occurs in steps. The first stage of the procedure is the removal of cartilage from the rib which is then placed in the ear as the framework. In a second out-patient surgery, the lobe is formed. The third visit involves lifting the rebuilt ear away from the head. A skin graft taken from the buttocks is used to give it lift.
A fourth and final procedure creates the opening that looks like a normal ear canal. It is possible that more than one step can be performed at a time, but you should expect for the entire process to take about 6 months to be complete.
Trauma is another reason why reconstruction surgery is necessary. Burns and frostbite may lead to amputation or lacerations may remove portions of the organ. Sometimes blunt force trauma to the head can damage the area when a hematoma or seroma forms underneath the cartilage. If this isn't fixed, it can result in "cauliflower ear." To fix these trauma related injuries, skin grafts and even prosthetics can be used to rebuild the organ.
If you or your child is living with a defect or injury, you don't have to live with it. Talk to a plastic surgeon and let him evaluate the severity of the malformation. He can then devise a plan of action to give you a more normal appearance. Just make sure he a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this reconstructive area.
These deformities have a real impact on a person's self-esteem. Children recognize that they are different from everyone else and this can cause them to withdraw from social situations and it follows them into adulthood. By rebuilding it, you can also rebuild you or your child's confidence and feel like a normal person.
