Popular Microtia Ear Surgery Cosmetic Procedures

The ear is a prominent facial feature that provides us the ability to hear. Some people might have an underdeveloped/malformed outer ear or completely absent pinna which makes the ear look smaller in size (a condition called microtia/ anotia because of a birth defect or an injury). Others may have large-sized ears, abnormally shaped ears, or ears that stick out too far from the head. In such cases, the best ear surgeon in Mumbai, India Dr. Parag Telang at The Microtia Trust recommends the patients to undergo an ear reconstruction by microtia/anotia surgery using rib cartilage graft or Otoplasty (ear surgery) which aims to improve the size, shape, and projection of the ears. Continue reading to learn more about these two popular ear surgeries.  

Microtia Ear Surgery 

Microtia surgery is one of the popularly performed ear reconstruction surgery in India at The Microtia Trust. The outer ear is mainly composed of skin and cartilage. The ear cartilage is unique as it allows the ear to bend and regain its shape immediately which further avoids its injury. It is possible that some people have a normally-shaped outer ear but an absent ear canal that allows hearing or a missing external ear with an open ear canal and normal hearing. The standard method of microtia correction (Autogenous ear reconstruction) involves the use of own living cartilage harvested from the ribs which are meticulously carved and assembled into an ear framework followed by its placement under the skin where a small ear is located to create a new, permanent outer ear. This approach is only done for patients who are aged above 10 years and have enough rib cartilage. As it uses the body’s tissues, there are very few long-term complications and the ear can withstand trauma very well as well as the rigor of contact sports. With the help of skilled hands, excellent satisfactory results can be achieved. 

Otoplasty Surgery

Otoplasty surgery is an outpatient, highly personalized plastic surgery mostly performed at The Microtia Trust, best ear reconstruction Clinic in India to correct oversized ears, reshape the ears, and pin the ears that protrude away from the head. It can treat a variety of misshapen ears including:

    • Macrotia (overly large ears)

    • Protruding ears (either on one side of the head or both)

    • Uneven ears (size or shape)

    • Ears that stick out too far from the skull

    • Malformed ear due to congenital defect including lop ear, constricted ear, and cryptotia

    • Unsatisfactory results from the previous otoplasty

This surgery can be performed for anyone who is aged 5 years or above (i.e. have an adult-sized ear).

 

During the surgery, hidden incisions are either made on the back of the ear i.e. in the natural groove present between the ear and the head, or within the depths of the fold of the front side of the ear. Depending upon the concern being addressed, the surgical techniques are performed. To reshape and secure the cartilage in its place, internal, non-dissolvable sutures are used. The absorbable stitches are used to close incisions. 

Usually, the recovery period from this ear reconstruction procedure takes about a month and until it gets healed completely, the patient must wear an elastic headband for a brief time (i.e. only at night) as the new cartilage gets hardened. A bulky dressing may be required to be worn for initial 3 days. International patients from USA and England if they are looking for microtia ear surgery in USA, England, and India, they can schedule an appointment with Dr. Parag Telang, the best ear surgeon in USA at The Microtia Trust, ear reconstruction clinic in Mumbai, India.