Microtia & Atresia

Microtia is a congenital deformity where the pinna (external ear) is underdeveloped. An undeveloped external ear canal opening is referred to as an Atresia. Because microtia and atresia have the same origin, it can be referred to as microtia-atresia. Microtia can be unilateral (one side only) or bilateral (affecting both sides).  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microtia

Dr Mol works closely with Dr Henning Frenzel who comes out occasionally to SA to operate with us, however twice a year Dr Mol goes to Germany to operate with him. Dr Frenzel’s details on his website and Facebook page: The website is both in German and English. The direct link to the English version is www.microtia-germany.com/en/, and the Facebook site is www.facebook.com/microtiagermany/.

This partnership started in 2014 and for 10 years we favoured the rib cartilage technique and got very good results. Currently since March 2024 we have switched over to using Su-por and the results look very promising. The benefit of this surgery is that it is done at a Day Hospital and there is no need for the post-operative Hospital admission and the chest pain from the rib grafts is eliminated. The option of a 3D copy of the patient’s existing ear is also possible although this is considerably more expensive

Regarding the Hearing repair of Microtia patients Dr Mol uses three possibilities namely the Soundbridge, Bonebridge and Osia as the preferred options for the Hearing repair component. In some circumstances BAHA is also used. Currently we do not offer the ear canal reconstruction itself at our unit due to long term cleaning hassles of that ear canal.

Contact Dr Mol via email: [email protected] for more direct info although a consultation with the patient is always necessary before these decisions can be made.