Microtia and Other Congenital Auricular Deformities
摘要
Ear deformities have been classified as a continuum ranging from anotia to prominent ear. Microtia literally means small ear and presents as a congenitally small, malformed external ear. The incidence of microtia is between 1 in 7000 to 8000 live births and it is unilateral in 80% to 90% of cases. Microtia is probably multifactorial in etiology with environmental and genetic factors involved. Patients with unilateral microtia/atresia usually have normal hearing on contralateral ear. Patients with bilateral microtia/atresia should be fitted with a bone-conduction hearing aid as early as possible in life. There are several classifications of microtia. Most surgeons are familiar with Nagata classification. Treatment of microtia is surgical with two important topics: reconstruction of the delicate architectural structure of the auricle and projection of auricle. There are three options for auricular reconstruction of microtia: autologous reconstruction, composite autologous/alloplastic reconstruction using an alloplastic ear framework, and prosthetic reconstruction. Tissue engineering and other innovative procedures will be therapeutic options in the future, with the potential to overcome the limitations of both autologous and alloplastic transplants. Other common ear anomalies are constricted ear, which is congenital ear deformity with high variety in presentation and surgical treatment, followed by cryptotia and Stahl’s ear.