Microtia: Here Are Some Complications Article

	1888 Articles Home \| Health Articles \| Beauty Articles	Beauty RSS
Microtia: Here Are Some Complications

Microtia is the medical term for various deformities of the human ear. There are surgical procedures that can reconstruct the ear into a more normal appearance and functionality.

Author: A Aaronson

Article Tools:

Microtia is the term that refers to human ear deformities. This malady is congenital, which means that the person was born with it. This ailment is most commonly found in males and on the right side only. In one tenth of the cases, however, it is present in both ears. The abnormality usually affects the outer and middle rather than the inner ear. There are surgical procedures that can reconstruct it into a more normal appearance and functionality.

There are various theories of why Microtia will appear in a newborn. One belief is that sometime during the child's gestation, the blood supply was diminished and therefore caused the problem. Other beliefs include genetic issues involving the mother and/or the father of the child. Some believe that prescription medications being taken by the mother during pregnancy, such as Accutane, Retinoic Acid or Thalidomide may be the culprits.

Exposure to toxic substances in the environment may also have played a part.

There are varying levels of severity in Microtia. The most severe is called Anotia and it entails being born with no external ear at all. The remaining severities are ranked by grades: Grade One, Grade Two, and Grade Three. In Grade One, it is smaller and out of proportion with the head. In Grade Two, the features that would normally be present in the external portion did not form. In Grade Three, there is a strip of malformed skin with some sort of ear lobe, but it does not have the appearance or functionality.

Amazingly enough, many suffers of Microtia are still able to hear. Hearing occurs in the inner part and because this inner portion develops in utero at a different time than the external portion, it is often still functional.

Varying surgeries can reconstruct the ear into a normal looking and functioning body part. Depending on the individual case, bone construction hearing aids may need to be worn beginning in early childhood. The surgeries will need to be done in stages and will begin as early as age six or seven years old. It is important to perform the surgeries early enough to have the child lead a normal life in terms of functionality and in not suffering loss of confidence due to ridicule by others.

Different surgical options include one that entails the use of a portion of rib bone, one that involves a prosthetic and one that involves an implant. There are pros and cons to each approach.

It is important to seek the services of a board certified reconstructive plastic surgeon in dealing with the ailment of Microtia. The most important thing is to remember is that this is not a life threatening problem and that it can be effectively dealt with.

About Author

With microtia, double board certified surgeon will help you regain your lost confidence and also assist you in leading a normal life. To know more, visit http://www.atlantaear.com

Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com/author-a-aaronson-6130.html