Microtia - What Is This Condition?

Most parents of children with microtia see that the child's ear is abnormally formed. The abnormality is noticeable soon after birth. The inner ear is usually not affected, so the doctor must try to reconstruct the ear. The surgery can often help the child to hear. After birth, the doctor will consult with the parents and let them know their options concerning surgery for the child. The doctor can evaluate the child's hearing to determine how it might have been impacted from the microtia. Children usually have the procedure to correct the microtia when they are 6 to 8 years old. Part of the child's rib is used for the reconstructive surgery. The child's rib must be an appropriate size for the surgery, so a small child who is 6 years old might not be able to receive the surgery until he or she is bigger. Having the surgery completed in the child's early years can also help prevent the child from having to deal with teasing. A series of surgeries typically must be completed to help the child.

The conditions most commonly impacts only one ear. In situations in which two ears are affected, the doctor might have to begin surgery on the external ear as soon as possible, because the child might not have clear hearing in either ear. Completing the procedure to give one ear proper structure can help the child support hearing aids that hold onto the ear. The doctor will discuss options for helping the child hear normally without the use of a hearing aid. There are three grades of this condition, and the doctor will use different techniques according to the grade, or severity, of the case. In the most severe cases, the patient has anotia, in which the child might not have a visible ear.

In the less severe case, the person's pinna might not be formed adequately and the affected ear is obviously smaller than the normal ear. Of course, if both ears are impacted with the condition, they both might be smaller than normal, and in progressive grades different parts of the ear might not be present or adequately formed.

Often, parents have a sense of guilt when they have a child who suffers from the defect. No one knows the cause of this developmental issue, but parents are not at fault. Parents must be supportive of their child and answer questions related to their child's difference in a supportive manner. Parents must be careful to be calm and patient when discussing the condition and not allow the child to feel as though he or she is bad because of the defect. It is also important to explain the surgery in a matter of fact way to the child, so that he or she does not become afraid or feel alarmed about going to the hospital. The doctor will discuss options for surgery, including using the child's rib cartilage or using another substance for the repair.