Microtia

Microtia is a congenital absence or deformity where the pinna (external ear) is underdeveloped. Microtia is a very rare disease.

Microtia occurs usually on the right side (unilateral) but it may also occur on both sides (bilateral).

The most common difficulty for microtia patients is the reduced hearing ability resulting from a narrowed or missing ear canal.

Four Stages of Microtia:

• Stage I: A less than complete development of the external ear with small and narrow ear canal.
• Stage II: A partly developed ear (usually the top part is underdeveloped) with a closed [stenotic] external ear canal causing a conductive hearing loss.
• Stage III: Absence of the external ear with a small structure and an absence of the external ear canal and ear drum. This grade is the most common form of microtia.
• Stage IV: Absence of the total ear or anotia (a completely undeveloped pinna).

Microtia Treatment

Treatment of microtia/anotia will be determined by some significant factors;

• The stage of the microtia
• If the microtia is unilateral (on one ear) or bilateral (on both ears)

Microtia repair surgery usually begins when the child is about 5 to 7 years old. There are some microtia surgery options.

A rib graft is the most common procedure for ear reconstruction. Rib graft has several steps. First, cartilage will be detached from the child’s rib. Next, the cartilage will be placed underneath the skin and formed into the shape of a “standard” ear. A skin graft will cover the cartilage.

Following stages position the earlobe and lift the ear from the scalp.

In microtia treatment, surgeons sometimes may use artificial materials and usually patient’s body accepts these materials, but the texture of the human is the most natural and healthy. That is why artificial materials are not recommended unless they are really necessary.

Microtia treatment may require more than one operation. It may require 2 or 3 surgeries and between these surgeries there should be about three months.

The anesthesia to be applied varies according to the procedure. It may be general or local anesthesia.