Microtia Repair

Microtia may occur as an isolated finding or in conjunction with other associated anomalies or a genetic syndrome. Ear reconstruction for these patients is typically performed no earlier than 6 years of age. In this chapter, a staged autogenous method of ear reconstruction is described using costal cartilage. In the first stage, a costal cartilage graft is harvested and placed. The next stages involve lobule transposition, detachment of the auricle with placement of a posterior skin graft, and further refinement of the external ear landmarks with tragus creation and definition of the conchal bowl and ear canal.