One or both human ears may have varying defects. Defects of the Ears may vary from person to person. The ear may be absent, rudimentary, cup shaped, too large, fan shaped, crumpled or bat ear shaped.
Abnormalities of the ears can occur along with other birth defects. In any case the child's hearing may be affected. Following are some examples of ear defects:
Anotia: Anotia is an ear defect in which there is a complete absence of either ear. It is a rare, congenital deformity, a missing auricle, the external, visible part of the ear. Anotia can however be treated using grafts or flaps with cartilage inserted to create normal ear shape.
Microtia: Microtia is a kind of ear defect in which a lump of flesh exists at the site where the ear would normally appear. This is a often considered as a congenital deformity of the outer ear known as pinna.. Microtia can be either unilateral (only one side) or bilateral (affecting both sides). The right ear is most typically affected in Unilateral microtia.
There are four grades of microtia :
- Grade 1 : This grade comprise of those kind of slightly small ears with identifiable structures which include the presence of external ear canal..
- Grade 2 : This grade comprise of those partial or semi ears with a closed off or stenotic external ear which produce a conductive hearing loss.
- Grade 3 : This grade includes the absence of the external ear with a small peanut vestige structure. This grade also includes the absence of the external ear canal and ear drum..
- Grade 4 : Absence of the total ear anotia.
Microtia Surgery
Microtia Surgery is inclusive of two issues :
- The first issue involve restoration of the visual appearance and form of the outer ear after auricular reconstruction.
- Restoration of hearing after repairing of atresia or application of a bone-anchore hearing aid BAHA.
- Auricular Reconstruction: This type of surgery restores the visual appearance and form of the outer ear. This type of reconstruction has four different options:
- Rib Graft Reconstruction : This procedure is usually performed after age 6 to. Rib Graft Reconstruction ensures that the rib cage is large enough so that it provides the donor material necessary. This is a three to five stage surgery in which the number of surgeries can vary.
- Reconstruction using a Medpor Polythene plastic implant : This is a two stage surgery which can start around age 3.
- Ear Prosthesis : Recommended for ear surgeons which involves procedures to mirror the other ear. Prosthetic ears do not require few minute of daily care and they seem quite eralistic. Typically made of silicone prosthetic ears match the colour of the human skin. It can be attached using either adhesive or with titanium screws which is inserted into the skull where the prosthetic is attached with a magnetic bar or clip type system.
- Soft Tissue Reconstruction : This type of surgery is recommended for sensitive ears.
Reconstructive surgery of the Defects of the Ears is one recent trend widely advancing in medical field. Our medical team in India assists your Reconstructive ear surgery in Apollo Hospital (Accredited to JCI). The hospital assures safety and world class results in Cosmetic Surgery as well as Reconstructive Surgery at a nominal cost.
Free counselling and consultation is available in the hospital round the year for your Medical Treatment in India.
