Patient's question:
Left ear，，，，。Doctor's answer:
Microtia.To ensure the child's physical and mental health is not affected, the surgery should be completed as early as possible before school age. The optimal surgical age is generally between 6 years old and before the onset of puberty (around 14 years old). If the child is too young, there may be limited availability of autologous costal cartilage due to its underdeveloped growth, and potential changes in the reconstructed ear's shape and chest deformities may occur due to ongoing growth and development. However, it is also important not to wait too long to have the surgery. As the child grows older, the texture of the costal cartilage changes, which can affect the carving of the external ear and the maintenance of its later shape.
Reconstruction of the auricle alone requires two surgeries. The first surgery involves harvesting autologous costal cartilage, carving it into an ear framework, and implanting it behind the ear to form a lying-down ear. After 3–6 months, the ear can be lifted upright. Further refinement can be performed later based on the situation. If the auditory nerve is normal, simultaneous auricle reconstruction and hearing restoration can be performed. In the first surgery, the 6th, 7th, and 8th ribs are harvested from the patient, and the cartilage is carved into an ear framework based on the shape of the healthy ear. The framework is buried under the skin behind the ear, and hearing restoration is performed simultaneously. Pre-made external auditory canal technology is used during the surgery. After several months, the ear is lifted upright, and the external auditory canal opening is created.