Ear reconstruction surgery is considered one of the most challenging plastic surgery procedures. It’s quite rare - the majority of plastic surgeons see 1-2 cases per year – but the results are now excellent due to advances in ear surgery (otoplasty), reconstructive cosmetic surgery doctor in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
The first stage involves creating a skin pocket at the site of the ear by reshaping the available tissue and thinning the skin to mimic the ear skin. Rib cartilage is then harvested in three pieces. The rib cartilage is carved and wired together with fine stainless steel wire to produce a very detailed ear structure. The structure is then inserted in the pocket and gentle suction is applied to enable the skin and the ear structure to come together. This stage of ear surgery takes 4-6 hours and the expected length of stay in hospital is 5-7 days.
At the second stage the new ear needs to be put into position so it sticks out from the head like a normal ear would. The new ear is lifted into place with a piece of cartilage behind it to support its position. A flap of tissue and a skin graft is then taken to cover exposed cartilage and compete the process. The second stage takes 3-4 hours and the expected hospital stay is 2-3 days. Ear reconstruction surgery has a high success rate with over 90% patients grading the result as good or excellent.