Microtia Surgery: Treatment For Your Child

If your child is born with a severe ear deformity that affects their self esteem and hearing capability, microtia is a safe and affordable option. Tissues from your child’s own body are used to create a new ear that will look completely natural.

Although some ear deformities such as being overly prominent or too large are merely cosmetic, microtia is a more serious condition that can also affect one’s hearing. The defect becomes apparent when a child is born, and about one in every ten thousand babies is born with it. Depending on the severity of the deformity, this condition can seriously damage a child’s self esteem as well as cause hearing complications. Microtia surgery to correct this defect is relatively simple and risk-free, and the final product looks completely natural.

There are three levels of this issue, which are based on the degree of deformity affecting the ear. Level three is the most common occurrence of this condition, which is classified as a small fold of skin protruding from the head rather than a fully formed ear complete with cartilage. It is best to have microtia surgery performed at about 7 years of age, after the ears have fully formed. Consult your doctor to find out how extensive the procedure will be so you can plan for enough recovery time for your child.

Do not wait until your child gets older to seek treatment; younger children recover more quickly and will suffer through less embarrassment the earlier you have the deformity corrected. Leaving it untreated can also create problems with wearing glasses and will constantly hinder your child’s hearing if the issue is severe enough. In some cases this condition can also affect kidney health and jaw function, as well as balance. If you absolutely cannot afford the cosmetic procedure, at least have your child examined often to make sure their overall health is not suffering.

Microtia surgery involves several steps taken over a few months to fully correct the condition. The most risky part of the process involves the collection of cartilage from the patient’s ribs, which is then sculpted into a framework to stretch the skin over. It is also possible to use a framework created from artificial materials, but it is generally recommended to use the patient’s own tissue. After the new ear is formed, the surgeon may need to perform corrective surgery on the inner ear or implant a hearing aid. After 4 to 6 weeks your child will be able to go swimming or play sports just like normal, with an added boost to their confidence as well.

Many health insurance plans will cover all or some of the cost of microtia surgery if it is affecting your child’s health. Recovery time is short and the procedure grants natural looking results. Check with your insurance provider and talk to your doctor about the health and self confidence benefits that come with this corrective treatment.

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