Faces of Tomorrow

Microtia

10 year old boy before surgery

What is microtia?

Microtia is a birth deformity of one or both ears in which the outer ear is underdeveloped or absent. When broken down in Latin, the term "microtia" is easy to understand. Micro=small; Otia=ear.

How common is microtia?

Microtia is a congenial disorder that occurs in approximately 1 in 5,000- 10,000 births depending on varying statistics in different countries and ethnic races.

Is microtia strictly a cosmetic defect?

No, in addition to the outer ear deformity the eardrum, ear canal, and the bones of the middle ear are sometimes affected, causing a severe degree of hearing loss. Microtia can also cause problems with self esteem.

How is microtia treated?

10 year old boy after surgery

Microtia can be surgically repaired. One option involves taking a cartilage graft from the rib cage and sculpting it to make the framework for a new ear. The surgery is performed after 6 years of age and usually requires at least 3 stages. Another option is to use a prosthetic ear. This still requires surgery since the prosthetic ear, which is constructed of silicone, is fixed to the head using fixtures and implants. If the patient has hearing loss, it can be treated with a special type of hearing aid, or bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA). Surgery can also be performed to open the ear canal.