Learn When Microtia Requires Ear Reconstruction
If your child may have to get ear reconstruction due to microtia, there are a few things to think about before making a commitment to surgery.
Your doctor will let you know his or her recommendations regarding whether the treatment is necessary.
But it may help to consider the different types of microtia before you determine whether to agree to the surgery.
If your child has grade I microtia, ear reconstruction may not be necessary, since this is the most minor type.
In general, this is when the differences between the two ears are hardly noticeable.
They are small details that would require people to get very close to your son or daughter to even see.
You can choose to get the surgery anyway if you feel it is best, but your doctor may leave this decision up to you since it is not always considered necessary.
Grade II describes a situation in which the upper parts of the ears are clearly affected, but the lower areas look normal.
These differences are a little more noticeable than with grade I, so it makes sense that you might take getting ear reconstruction a little more seriously in this case.
But this is still a minor issue, so if you cannot afford the treatment or you do not want your son or daughter to go through it, you may be advised not to correct the issue.
Grade III tends to be the most common kind of microtia.
It might affect one or both ears, and it tends to cause them to be smaller than they should be and oddly shaped.
This is rather obvious; so many parents choose to correct the issue.
The earlobe may be barely there or not there at all, and even the eardrum or canal may be missing.
If hearing is affected, you will definitely be advised to get surgery for your child.
In grade IV of this condition, one or both ears are completely missing.
You should talk to your child's doctor to determine your options in this case.
You need to find out if ear reconstruction or similar treatments could help your child hear.
At the very least, it may help him or her appear to have the ears that were not present at birth.
It may take some time to determine the right move for your family.
Your physician can help you make the decision, as can doing some research of your own.
Once you know which type of microtia your child has, as well as the kind of results surgery can offer, you can make an informed decision.
Your doctor will let you know his or her recommendations regarding whether the treatment is necessary.
But it may help to consider the different types of microtia before you determine whether to agree to the surgery.
If your child has grade I microtia, ear reconstruction may not be necessary, since this is the most minor type.
In general, this is when the differences between the two ears are hardly noticeable.
They are small details that would require people to get very close to your son or daughter to even see.
You can choose to get the surgery anyway if you feel it is best, but your doctor may leave this decision up to you since it is not always considered necessary.
Grade II describes a situation in which the upper parts of the ears are clearly affected, but the lower areas look normal.
These differences are a little more noticeable than with grade I, so it makes sense that you might take getting ear reconstruction a little more seriously in this case.
But this is still a minor issue, so if you cannot afford the treatment or you do not want your son or daughter to go through it, you may be advised not to correct the issue.
Grade III tends to be the most common kind of microtia.
It might affect one or both ears, and it tends to cause them to be smaller than they should be and oddly shaped.
This is rather obvious; so many parents choose to correct the issue.
The earlobe may be barely there or not there at all, and even the eardrum or canal may be missing.
If hearing is affected, you will definitely be advised to get surgery for your child.
In grade IV of this condition, one or both ears are completely missing.
You should talk to your child's doctor to determine your options in this case.
You need to find out if ear reconstruction or similar treatments could help your child hear.
At the very least, it may help him or her appear to have the ears that were not present at birth.
It may take some time to determine the right move for your family.
Your physician can help you make the decision, as can doing some research of your own.
Once you know which type of microtia your child has, as well as the kind of results surgery can offer, you can make an informed decision.
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