subject: Ear Reconstruction Surgery Can Repair Ear Deformity And Injury [print this page] Surgery to reconstruct or repair the ear due to an injury or birth defect is typically a quite complicated procedure. Deformity and injury can lead to other serious problems such as hearing loss.
Having such an issue can cause emotional stress for the patient as well as their loved ones; but undergoing surgery can improve aesthetic appearance as well as prevent other more serious issues from developing later in life.
Candidates for Ear Reconstruction Surgery
Microtia is the technical term for an ear that is abnormal or malformed. Surgery is also performed on people who have been burned, had cancerous areas removed from the area, or have suffered some other trauma. The complexity of the procedure lies in that it involves completely reconstructing the outer ear, and the components include cartilage, skin, and soft tissue.
The surgery can take three to four visits to complete depending on the severity of the injury or deformity and the difficulty of the construction.
Surgeons typically use cartilage and skin from other parts of the patient's body to rebuild the auricular area. Depending on the severity of the microtia condition, you may be able to undergo one two to three hour surgical session, or it may be necessary for several surgeries over a period of one or two years.
Your surgeon will do their best to minimize the pain and discomfort you feel, but there is always a risk of infection as with any operation, so follow your doctor's instructions for aftercare rigidly. It can take up to six months for the area to completely heal and for the final results to be revealed.
Reasons for Surgery
One purpose of surgery in the treatment of microtia is to provide a more symmetrical quality to the face. This can greatly improve the cosmetic appearance of a patient and help to boost their self esteem; it also helps children to avoid the possibility of bullying and ridicule at school over their condition. Children can be recommended to undergo the surgery as young as three years old, but many recommend waiting until they reach the ages of 5-7.
Reconstructive surgery can also be performed on patients who have been diagnosed with cancerous lesions on the externally located auricle area. The lesions are removed and then replaced with a rebuilding technique.
The actual approach and type of surgery performed depends on the actual injury or defect the patient presents; for example, burn victims or skin cancer patients will receive a different style of treatment to children who were born with a microtia defect.
