Reconstruction of small ear deformity

  The leading authority on the treatment of microtia in Japan is the Nagata Scholar, which translates to Dr. Nagata (Nagata) in Japan, and this method is now more commonly used worldwide. This method does not require skin expansion. It is now also known as the “direct burial method” in Japan.  Prof. Nagata classifies microtia as earlobe type, auricular cavity type, and microtia type. The following is a detailed description of the reconstruction method and results of his technique.  This method is divided into two stages. In the first stage, the rib cartilage is taken and the ear sculpture scaffold is directly implanted under the skin behind the ear while the earlobe is transposed, and this time the outer ear shape is formed, but there is no cranial ear sulcus.  In the second stage, the reconstructed ear is elevated to form a cranial-ear sulcus. If done a third time it can be repaired more aesthetically. Each procedure takes about 10 days, with an interval of 4-6 months between each procedure.  This method produces a thin, well-defined ear, small surgical scars, and is simple, safe, and less painful for the patient with a short treatment time each time. It is more popular among doctors and patients.  This method is suitable for patients with abundant skin in the deformed ear, loose skin behind the deformed ear, and large area. However, most patients in China have a low hairline, and this method often results in more ear whorl hair, less visible details of the reconstructed ear, and asymmetrical height of both ears, especially for facial development asymmetry, this method has its serious limitations.