Bilateral Ear Deformation, Bilateral Microtia
Dr. Mark Mitchell Jones is a leading Microtia repair surgeon who carries extensive training and experience with bilateral ear deformation. Microtia is a common birth defect where the outer and middle ear structures are underdeveloped. Although it most often appears on just one side, microtia occurs in both ears in about ten percent of cases. You can trust Dr. Jones to treat your bilateral microtia using innovative techniques that produce the most natural, functional results.
Dr. Jones is dual board certified in plastic surgery and otolaryngology (ENT), which gives him the unique capability to carefully reconstruct the shape and form of the outer ear without compromising the workings of the inner ear. If you have a child with bilateral microtia or any other congenital ear deformity, you be confident that Dr. Jones has the expertise to restore both aesthetics and hearing in both ears using the most effective treatment options. Dr. Jones has made reputable contributions in the area of microtia repair, improving ear reconstruction standards to give patients a better surgical experience and an overall superior outcome.
What is Bilateral Ear Deformation?
When a congenital abnormality, such as microtia, affects both ears, it is called bilateral ear deformation. One of the most important concerns in bilateral deformation is the presence of hearing loss in both ears. In the case of bilateral microtia, the patient may need amplification with a bone-conduction hearing aid. Most children with microtia have normal inner ears, yet they lack a developed ear canal that helps sound travel. As both a plastic surgeon and otolaryngologist, Dr. Jones is able to treat bilateral deformities with careful adherence to the child’s hearing needs during ear reconstruction.
Dr. Jones often treats patients with bilateral microtia through a combination of surgical stages, which helps to decrease the amount of procedures needed to correct both ears. Dr. Jones integrates a parallel reconstruction of both ears, which minimizes any delays while not allowing the two reconstructions to interfere with one another. The second ear reconstruction can be started as early as six weeks after the first rib graft surgery has been completed. Two months after the latter Stage 1 (i.e. second ear rib graft) surgery, both ear lobes can be positioned simultaneously at one surgical setting. Then, after three months, the ear can be separated from the head (Stage 3), followed by the other side six weeks later (Stage 3 for the second ear). Depending on the case, Stage 4 is completed six weeks after Stage 3 for the first ear, and another six weeks later for the second ear. At certain cases, Stage 4 is not necessary. In conclusion, the time elapsed for completing bilateral microtia surgeries is about a year.
He provides the following advantages of using the rib graft technique to repair bilateral microtia:
- Uses patient’s own natural tissue
- Very safe
- Less susceptible to infection
- Life-long results, the new cartilaginous ear grows with the patient
- Uses a technique that has been the standard of microtia surgery for decades
- The chest incision can be very small (about 1 1/4″ long)
- Has been the standard of microtia surgery for decades
- Excellent results IN EXPERIENCED HANDS
- The cartilaginous ear LASTS A LIFETIME
Contact our office in Atlanta today to learn more about Dr. Mark Mitchell Jones and his renowned bilateral microtia repair methods. He is a gentle surgeon with exceptional success in treating a wide range of congenital ear malformations. You can trust that Dr. Jones will take the time to fully understand your situation and carefully explain the treatment options available to you.