Complex Ear Deformity
Ear Deformities that May Be Helped by Surgery
Underdeveloped outer ear
Absence of one or both ears
Upper ear underneath the scalp skin
Ear Tag (Accessory Tragus)
Bump of skin and sometimes cartilage in front edge of the ear
Earlobes with clefts or skin tags; duplicate earlobes
Some ear deformities may include one or both ears and involves hearing loss.
- Microtia: the outer ear is small and underdeveloped
- Anotia: the outer ear and canal is so underdeveloped it may not be visible.
- Cryptotia: the upper part of the ear appears “buried” beneath the side of the head
Types of Ear Deformity Surgery
Surgery to reconstruct the complex ear deformity is called otoplasty. There are two surgical approaches to ear reconstruction. One involves an implant or premade artificial ear placed beneath the skin. The other surgical approach involves using rib cartilage to create a custom ear shape and is placed beneath the skin. Unfortunately neither surgery corrects or improves the patient’s hearing.