Objective
To study congenital auricular malformation, an uncommon but serious condition. The literature about auricular malformation separates the medical, otologic, and auricular reconstructive elements; this study addresses all elements in a single report.
Design
A retrospective chart analysis of patients with microtia and severe auricular malformation from initial presentation through surgical reconstruction for those of appropriate age.
Setting
A single author's experience in a practice at a referral institution.
Patients
Ninety-two patients (108 ears).
Results
Early presentation at less than 1 year of age was noted for 40 patients. Coexisting medical conditions were noted in 16 patients. Seven patients demonstrated facial paralysis. Unexpected sensorineural hearing loss was discovered in six patients. Twenty-four patients had undergone auricular reconstruction at the time of this report. Additional patients had undergone skin tag removal, ventilation tube placement, and atresia repair.
Conclusions
Children with microtia and significant auricular malformation require global attention to early family guidance, to expected and unexpected hearing loss, to language development, to associated medical conditions, and to both auricular and otologic reconstruction issues.
(Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995;121:57-62)
