Contemporary Management of Microtia

Abstract

Microtia techniques have evolved to improve aesthetic outcomes, reduce donor site morbidities, and reduce complications. Patients with microtia commonly have aural atresia associated with conductive hearing loss. We present the evolution of our technique for microtia reconstruction and considerations for hearing management in these patients. Keywords: Microtia, aural atresia, autologous rib reconstruction, contemporary management

Clinical profiling of pediatric microtia patients: A cross‐sectional analysis at a leading pediatric hospital in Ecuador (2015–2022)

“…Clinically, 63.8% of patients presented with grade III microtia, predominantly affecting the right side (57.0%), in line with global trends (Abrol et al, 2022; Andrews & Hohman, 2023; Luquetti et al, 2012; van Nunen et al, 2014; Widodo et al, 2021; Wu et al, 2010). Given the high incidence of grade III microtia, a corresponding prevalence of hearing loss was expected.…”

National Trends in Microtia Repair Cost and Hospital Length of Stay

“…13,14,16 Autologous costochondral microtia reconstruction has been the favored surgical approach for many years which may be complemented by an earlier atresiaplasty if the child is an appropriate surgical candidate. [17][18][19] Adhesive-retained auricular prosthesis alternatively offer a nonsurgical option for select patients. 17,20 These reparative operations can come with financial and personal health costs to patients and their families that are exacerbated by significant disparities across a number of patient-level and hospital-level factors.…”

“…[17][18][19] Adhesive-retained auricular prosthesis alternatively offer a nonsurgical option for select patients. 17,20 These reparative operations can come with financial and personal health costs to patients and their families that are exacerbated by significant disparities across a number of patient-level and hospital-level factors. Specific minority groups and patients from low-resource settings may be particularly impacted as previous studies have demonstrated a greater incidence of microtia in these patient populations.…”

“…Notably, children with microtia report higher levels of depression and anxiety with decreased gains in social skills before surgical reconstruction but with significant improvement in these categories postoperatively 13,14,16 . Autologous costochondral microtia reconstruction has been the favored surgical approach for many years which may be complemented by an earlier atresiaplasty if the child is an appropriate surgical candidate 17–19 . Adhesive-retained auricular prosthesis alternatively offer a nonsurgical option for select patients 17,20 …”

“…Autologous costochondral microtia reconstruction has been the favored surgical approach for many years which may be complemented by an earlier atresiaplasty if the child is an appropriate surgical candidate 17–19 . Adhesive-retained auricular prosthesis alternatively offer a nonsurgical option for select patients 17,20 …”