The Ear

Microtia

This is a 7 year old boy with congenital microtia. The skin has been outlined to indicate where the new cartilage framework will be placed.

This shows the cartilage (known as "costal cartilage") outlined on the skin before surgery. Note the high quality scar on the abdomen. This suggests that ear reconstruction will yield a structure of reasonable quality and detail.

This photo shows the costal cartilage removed. It will be carved to create an ear-like shape.

Here we see the framework of cartilage in place and a skin graft placed within the "hole" of the ear

This is the completed reconstruction. The patient is now 8 years old.

2/21/00

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