Microtia Treatment in Youth

Microtia treatment can be one of the best decisions for those who have this condition. A malformed ear can be one of the biggest worries for parents. Will their child hear? What will the others say? Will they go through life being teased? With this type of procedure, many of those risks can be resolved. Every situation is very different, but in many instances, there is help for parents who need to make a decision to go forward with treatments or not to. A consultation with a specialist can help to ease the fears of worried parents.

What Is It?

This condition is often a congenital one. There are no answers to why it happens to some and not to others. Children who are born with a malformed ear may not get answers as to why, but they can get treatments. The deformity can range from moderate to severe. The first step the doctors will take is determining if the child can hear and how well. Then, the right microtia treatment is employed to improve hearing and to reconstruct the ear as it is needed.

What Will Happen?

In most situations, the best treatments involve a specialized process designed for the child. Since no two ears are the same, the surgeon will need to take steps to create a plan that will work for that individual child. Generally, reconstructive surgery is meant to rebuild the outer portion of the ear to create a more natural look. Pediatric plastic surgery professionals are necessary for this procedure because it is a delicate process.

Most often, the procedure will be available to those children about five to six years of age. At this age, there is enough rib cartilage developed to allow the reconstruction to take place. This gives doctors more material to work with during the procedure. The second benefit is that at this age, the child's ear is about the size of an adult's ear. This means that if surgery needs to occur on just one ear that surgeons can match the ears well creating symmetry between the two.

Most procedures incorporate the use of the child's own tissues to minimize any risk of infection or rejection. The process will require recovery and a healing period, but most procedures are not as invasive as one may think. They can be highly successful too, making them an ideal option for many patients who want a normal look. Each microtia treatment is specific to the child's needs. Many of them are successful in helping to boost self-image and confidence while potentially improving hearing as well.