Ear Reconstruction
Common ear structure problems such as prominent ears, cup ears and microtia are caused by hypoplasia of the ear cartilage. Reconstructive surgery is usually carried out after six years of age as the ear is almost fully developed at that stage.
Prominent Ears
Bat ears arise as a result of inadequate anti-helical fold of ear cartilage, pushing the ear to grow laterally. Surgery can be performed under local or general anaesthesia. An incision is made in the skin behind the ear to separate the skin from the cartilage. Then an anti-helical fold is created and fixed. The procedure takes 90 minutes. The bruising and swelling will resolve in one week. Incisions are placed behind the ears and consequently scars are not usually visible.
Microtia
Microtia is a congenital underdevelopment of ear cartilage. Usually, patients have to receive various stages of reconstructive surgery from six years of age. The first stage is to fabricate a normal ear framework with sculpted rib cartilage. An auricular frame is then carved out and inserted beneath a pocket of skin at the side of the head. After stable growth of the cartilage in six to nine months time, the new ear is lifted out from the side of the head and covered by a skin graft. The last stage is to correct and adjust the contour of the reconstructed ear with cartilage.
Accessory Auricles
An accessory auricle refers to an additional skin tag in front of ear. It is a common congenital ear problem and does not affect hearing. Excision can be done before school age to avoid teasing among peers.
Preauricular Sinuses
A preauricular sinus is another common congenital ear problem characterised by a dimple on one or both sides of the external ear. The dimple connects to deeper inside the auricle through a fistula, where smell of secretion might be unpleasant. If it becomes infected, it may lead to abscess formation.
Excision of a preauricular sinus can be performed under local or general anaesthesia. The problem can only be cured by removing the dimple, fistula and part of the auricle cartilage.