How can congenital malformations of the outer and middle ears be treated?

  Congenital malformation of the external and middle ears, also known as “congenital microtia”. It is caused by abnormal development of the first and second gill arches and the first gill sulcus, and can occur unilaterally or bilaterally. It can occur unilaterally or bilaterally and is associated with genetic factors, as well as with viral infections during pregnancy, certain medications (such as hydantoin), endocrine abnormalities, localized embryonic hypoxia, and exposure to radiation. Congenital microtia, especially in binaural cases, is often associated with hearing impairment. In addition to affecting the child’s language learning, it also affects the child’s psychological and intellectual development, which must be taken seriously.  Grade I: Small and deformed auricle with distinguishable parts; narrow or partially atretic external auditory canal; tympanic membrane present; hearing is basically normal.  Grade II: The auricle is a strip-like protrusion, equivalent to the auricle or only the earlobe, with atresia of the external auditory canal, mostly with abnormal middle ear development, and conductive deafness, which is the most common type.  Grade III: The auricle is mutilated, with only sporadic and irregular protrusions, atresia of the external auditory canal, malformation of the auditory chain, which may be accompanied by inner ear dysfunction and severe deafness, occupying about 2%.  The treatment methods include: 1.Hearing compensation: In binaural malformation, the hearing is generally poorer than normal, and hearing aids should be fitted around 1 year old to avoid affecting their language development and learning.  2. Surgical treatment: (1) Hearing reconstruction, external auditory canal and tympanoplasty.  (2) Auricular reconstruction or prosthetic ear.  Timing of surgery: (1) For binaural deformity: at the age of about 6 years, surgery is performed on the less deformed ear to improve hearing and to promote normal language and intellectual development of the child.  (2) Monaural deformity: Surgery is usually performed at the age of 18. Hearing reconstruction and auricular reconstruction are performed.  Postoperative precautions: (1) Patients should have regular postoperative reviews and drug changes to prevent infection of the operative cavity and restenosis of the ear canal.  (2) Regular subcutaneous water bladder injection to expand the skin in preparation for stage II auricular reconstruction.  In recent years, the Department of Otolaryngology and Plastic Surgery of our hospital have cooperated to perform external auditory canal, tympanoplasty, auricular reconstruction or installation of bone fixed hearing aids or prosthetic ears to reconstruct hearing and beauty. We have surgically treated dozens of patients with congenital microtia, the largest group of cases in the province, and received satisfactory results, and welcome patients to visit us.