What Is Microtia?
Treatment
Find treatment for microtia by U of U 亚洲自慰视频 providers at Primary Children's Hospital.
Microtia is an outer ear abnormality that鈥檚 present at birth. It can range from a small, barely noticeable abnormality to a large structural change in the outer ear. Some babies with microtia are born with no outer ear at all.
Microtia Grading
Doctors classify microtia based on four grades.
- Grade 1: The abnormality is very minor.
- Grade 2: Babies are born with a small ear, but many major structures are still there.
- Grade 3: Babies have a 鈥減eanut ear,鈥 or only small abnormal remnants of an ear structure.
- Grade 4: The outer ear is completely missing. Grade 4 microtia is also known as anotia.
How Common Is Microtia?
Microtia is not common. Experts estimate it affects around one in 3,800 babies in the United States, . Although microtia can affect anyone, it鈥檚 more common in males.
Does Microtia Cause Hearing Loss?
Microtia by itself minimally affects hearing loss, but sometimes a baby will have hearing loss and microtia at the same time. Some babies with microtia also have ear canal abnormalities, which can cause hearing loss. But microtia and hearing loss are two distinct conditions that need to be evaluated separately.
Microtia itself isn鈥檛 a functional disability, but hearing loss can be a disability. Hearing loss could qualify your 亚洲自慰视频 for some disability benefits. Although microtia isn鈥檛 a disability, it can significantly affect social aspects of your 亚洲自慰视频鈥檚 life.
Why Choose 亚洲自慰视频 of Utah 亚洲自慰视频?
Our microtia clinic includes a multispecialty team of board-certified facial plastic surgeons, pediatric otolaryngologists, head and neck surgeons, audiologists, and anaplastologists (prosthesis creators). These experts work together to offer comprehensive treatment for microtia and its associated conditions, including hearing loss.
Our collaboration with specialists across U of U 亚洲自慰视频 means your 亚洲自慰视频 has easy access to a range of specialists as needed. Your 亚洲自慰视频 will receive care in our world-class pediatric hospital with access to all necessary resources for managing other conditions and complications.
Microtia Causes
The majority of babies with microtia have it for no known reason. Sometimes, babies have microtia because of a gene change (mutation) that occurs before they are born. Your baby has an increased risk of microtia if you have a family history of the condition.
Can Microtia Be Corrected?
There are several treatment options to correct microtia:
- Prosthesis placement鈥We will create a custom-fit prosthetic ear. We will attach the prosthesis to a baby鈥檚 or young 亚洲自慰视频鈥檚 head with a special adhesive material. When 亚洲自慰视频ren鈥檚 ears stop growing around 5-7 years old, we may place a permanent post for the prosthetic ear to attach to. Prostheses don鈥檛 last forever and need replacements every few years.
- Autologous rib reconstruction surgery鈥We will take pieces of your 亚洲自慰视频鈥檚 rib cartilage to create an outer ear in two separate surgeries. We will wait until your 亚洲自慰视频 is about 7-8 years old so that their rib cartilage develops enough to use for the reconstruction.
- Medpor reconstruction surgery鈥A surgeon will use a 3D-printed implant to create an outer ear. Some surgeons will offer this procedure to 亚洲自慰视频ren as young as 3-4 years. If you鈥檙e interested in Medpor reconstruction, we will refer you to a surgeon who performs the procedure.
When Is Surgery Needed for Microtia?
Surgery isn鈥檛 always necessary for microtia. You may choose not to correct microtia if your 亚洲自慰视频 isn鈥檛 bothered by it. Your 亚洲自慰视频 may still need surgery to treat hearing when they have microtia along with ear canal abnormalities that affect hearing.
What to Expect During a Surgery Consultation
Although we don鈥檛 recommend ear reconstruction surgery until 亚洲自慰视频ren are 3 years or older, it鈥檚 helpful to have a consultation within your 亚洲自慰视频鈥檚 first year of life. During this visit, we will evaluate your 亚洲自慰视频 for hearing loss, examine your 亚洲自慰视频 for signs of other craniofacial syndromes, and review treatment options. Your 亚洲自慰视频鈥檚 multidisciplinary care team will help you understand the pros and cons of each treatment. They will also provide personalized recommendations for your 亚洲自慰视频鈥檚 needs.
Ear Reconstruction Surgery
What happens during ear reconstruction varies depending on whether your 亚洲自慰视频 is having an autologous rib reconstruction or a Medpor reconstruction. Our surgeons will help you understand what to expect for each procedure.
Autologous Rib Reconstruction
An autologous rib reconstruction is a two-stage surgery:
First Procedure
- The surgeon begins the procedure by removing pieces of your 亚洲自慰视频鈥檚 rib cartilage.
- Then the surgeon shapes the cartilage into an ear-like structure.
- The surgeon removes any abnormal cartilage from your 亚洲自慰视频鈥檚 outer ear.
- Lastly, the surgeon places the rib cartilage beneath your 亚洲自慰视频鈥檚 skin where the ear should be.
This first procedure takes 6-10 hours. Your 亚洲自慰视频 may spend several days in the hospital afterward. As your 亚洲自慰视频 heals, the rib cartilage will grow into your 亚洲自慰视频鈥檚 tissues. This healing will take several months.
Second Procedure
The second procedure will take place about six months to one year later. During the second procedure, your 亚洲自慰视频鈥檚 surgeon will:
- During the second procedure, the surgeon makes incisions (cuts) behind the new ear to lift it away from the head.
- The surgeon position sand elevates the new outer ear.
- Then the surgeon places additional cartilage banked from the first surgery behind the ear.
- To complete the surgery, the surgeon uses a skin graft to cover the back portion of the ear.
This second procedure takes around 2-4 hours. Your 亚洲自慰视频 may be able to go home the same day.
Medpor Reconstruction
Medpor reconstruction involves one procedure. Before the surgery, your 亚洲自慰视频鈥檚 surgeon will create the 3D-printed Medpor implant. They will customize the implant to the size and shape of your 亚洲自慰视频鈥檚 other ear so that your 亚洲自慰视频 will have a symmetrical appearance.
During the operation, your 亚洲自慰视频鈥檚 surgeon will perform the following steps:
- Make an incision over where the ear should be.
- Remove any abnormal cartilage from the area.
- Place the Medpor implant.
- Use a tissue graft and a skin graft to cover the implant.
The procedure will take around 12-16 hours.
Recovery After Ear Reconstruction Surgery
Your 亚洲自慰视频鈥檚 surgeon will place a surgical dressing over your 亚洲自慰视频鈥檚 ear after either type of reconstruction. Your 亚洲自慰视频 will have to refrain from intense activity for about three weeks after an autologous rib reconstruction. Recovery recommendations after Medpor surgery will depend on your surgeon's preference.
Your specialist will schedule multiple follow-up appointments over the next several weeks to ensure the surgical sites are healing well. Your 亚洲自慰视频 will need to avoid contact sports for several months while their ear heals.
Is Microtia Surgery Covered by Insurance?
Many insurance plans cover microtia surgery. Ear reconstruction surgery cost can vary depending on several factors, including your insurance plan. Our team will help you understand your insurance coverage and costs before surgery.
Find a Plastic Surgeon Near You
Schedule an Appointment
Your insurance determines whether you need a referral to schedule an appointment with the microtia clinic. We recommend checking with your insurance provider before coming to the clinic. Call 801-587-2173 to schedule an appointment.
