Surgery and Reconstruction

If Surgery Is Recommendedto Reconstruct the Ear Canal, When Is It Performed?
It is performed after the age of six and is coordinated withthe surgical reconstruction of the external ear. It is importantthat the first stages of external ear reconstruction be performedprior to reconstruction of the ear canal.

At What Age is theExternal Ear Reconstruction Initiated?
This depends on the patient's size and maturity but generallyoccurs after the age of six years.

How Many Stages Are Required to Reconstruct An Ear?
The outerear reconstruction usually involves 3-4 stages. In the first stagea cartilage framework is carved from pieces of rib cartilage andinserted under the skin on the side of the head where the new earwill be. This procedure takes approxi- mately four hours and requiresa general anesthetic and a two day hospital stay. The second, third,and fourth stages are short, "touch-up" type procedures which, insome patients, can be performed on an outpatient basis. Becauseof the patient's age they usually require a general anesthetic,but in older patients can be performed under local anesthe- sia.In the second stage the earlobe is rotated into the cor- rect position.The third stage involves deepening of the conchal bowl (the centralpart of the ear) and construction of the tragus. In the final stagea skin graft is inserted behind the car to lift it off the headso that it more closely resembles a normal ear.

Cartilageframework Carved From the Patient's Rib Cartilage To Simulatethe Ear Cartilage	AppearanceAfter Stage I	AppearanceAfter Stage III. The Tragus Has Been Constructed And The ConchalBowl Has Been Deepened.