Rehabilitation of patients with microtia and congenital atresia of the external auditory canal

Aim. The purpose of the study was to create and introduce into medical practice an effective way of comprehensive aesthetic and functional rehabilitation of patients with microtia and external auditory canal atresia. Ten patients aged 4 to 18 with microtia and external auditory canal atresia were operated on. During the surgical intervention, a simultaneous operation was performed. This manipulation included the reconstruction of the auricle with a porous polyethylene implant using vascularized temporoparietal fascia, transplantation of free skin grafts, and the elimination of atresia via transmastoid access with tympanoplasty using the autofascia, the ossiculoplasty with a partial titanium prosthesis. Stable outcomes of forming an external auditory canal tube were obtained in most patients during the long-term follow-up. No cases of implant extrusion were registered. The use of an auricle frame made of a porous polyethylene implant covered with the vascularized temporoparietal fascia and free skin grafts completely recreates the anatomy of the auricle.
Key words: microtia, congenital external auditory canal atresia
Conflicts of interest. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Funding. There was no funding for this study