This is a condition in which victim has no ear. The term anotia refers to congenital nonappearance of the external ear, the auricle, the visible part of the ear.

Treatment options

Following are the treatment options for ear defects.

Prominent Ear

It is perfectly effective to early diagnosis and correction with ear molds, best started in the first week following birth. If the chance for molding is fails or missed, surgical correction of the prominent ear deformity is usually retard until three to five years after the birth. Doctors usually prefer correction at generally five years of age since 90% or greater of ear growth has happened by that age. Almost always a small difference will remain between the two sides after surgical correction. If the difference is 3 millimeters or less, then capable results have been accomplished and secondary surgery is not justified. Recension may be required when this difference exceeds 3 millimeters.

Constricted Ear

When this defect seems rather simple to correct, a reoccurrence and irregularity in the outcome is usual. Commonly partial incision of the overhanging rim segment is the alternative procedure. This conclusion should be carefully planned, as it can leave the vertical height of the ear short, thereby forming a mismatch with the normal side. Usually, a minimization in vertical height up to 5 mm is agreeable. As the constricted ear becomes harsher, partial unavailability of the conchal cartilage and scapha with absence of the overlying anterior skin occur. These defects need the addition of skin and cartilage for their correction and become progressively more complex in after-effects. Procedures for the ear correction of the milder varieties include the use of full-thickness skin grafts collect from behind the ear and conchal cartilage grafts collect from the same or from the opposite ear. In more severe form, total ear reconstruction is required.

Ear Molds

Defects of the ear are a commonly occur among newborns, and usually parental concern is directed away from these defects with reassurance that the ear will get better as the child grows older. While improvement and shape may occur in some infants, it is not the rule and recent evidence suggest that the opportunity to mold or reshape the pinna exist only in the first seven days following birth. Accordingly, if significant deformities are overlooked at the time of birth, the only alternative for correction is otoplasty, which is a surgical procedure performed between the age of three and five years. The cost surrounding this selective surgical procedure can often be avoided if early diagnosis is made and ear molding initiated. Generally defects like prominent ear, cup ear, Stahl’s ear and lop ear may be satisfyingly treated with the initial application of ear molds. All of these defects that may be satisfyingly treated have in usual a cartilage deformities, but no deficiency of skin or cartilage. Those defects with deficiency or unavailability of skin and cartilage (i.e., microtia, constricted ear, anotia) respond less conveniently to ear molds. The method of ear mold treatment is simple and includes a combination of tape for fixation, methylmethacrylate glue and dental blend for molding and shaping. The fixation and mold must be fixed for six weeks and worn regularly.

Microtia

Reconstruction of microtia is postponed until five to seven years of age, at which time the opposite normal ear can be used as a standard for reconstruction of the abnormal side. At this age also, the rib cartilages have obtained sufficient dimension to act as a graft source and design for reconstruction of the shape of the ear.