What material is used in a rib graft ear reconstruction?
Reinisch uses a microporous high-density polyethylene implant. This material is 100 percent biocompatible. The porous surface allows surrounding blood vessels and skin to integrate with the material for incredibly lifelike results.
What is auricular reconstruction?
Ear reconstruction is a form of surgery that can rebuild an ear damaged by trauma or cancer surgery, or misshapen or missing due to a congenital (present at birth) disorder. Along with surgery to rebuild or repair the ear, hearing rehabilitation with an otologist may be necessary.
Is ear Reconstruction covered by insurance?
Most health insurance plans will not cover elective surgery, related complications or another surgery to revise the appearance of your ears. Some procedures may be covered by health insurance, particularly when it is performed to relieve medical symptoms or to restore hearing function.
What is a Medpor implant?
Medpor/Supor is a biocompatible, porous polyethylene implant used for craniofacial reconstruction and augmentation. It was used for many different types of surgeries such as cranial, orbital and later, ear reconstruction. Some choose the plastic polyethylene technique because it is touted as a one-surgery technique.
How much does otoplasty cost?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of otoplasty is $3,156. The cost may be lower or higher depending on factors like the plastic surgeon, your location, and the type of procedure that’s used. In addition to the costs of the procedure, there may also be other costs.
How long is ear reconstruction surgery?
Ear reconstruction surgery explained: stage 1: The structure is then inserted in the pocket and gentle suction is applied to enable the skin and the ear structure to come together. This stage of ear surgery takes 4-6 hours and the expected length of stay in hospital is 5-7 days.
How long does ear reconstruction surgery take?
At what age can you get otoplasty?
Otoplasty can be done at any age after the ears have reached their full size — usually after age 5 — through adulthood.
How long do Medpor implants last?
Answer: 20 years of good experience with Silastic implants.
What is Medpor made of?
The Medpor implant is made of a medical-grade, high density polyethylene that is sintered to create a somewhat flexible framework of interconnecting pores4,11,12. The pore size range from 160 to 368 µm and more than half of these pores are larger than 150 µm in diameter11,12.
What is a Medpor ear reconstruction?
At our practice, MEDPOR ear reconstruction is a single-stage surgery, saving patients and their families time, money, and discomfort. A rib cartilage ear reconstruction typically requires two to five surgeries to complete. The cartilage will need to be harvested, formed into a framework, and placed in a separate procedure.
What is the Medpor framework?
If only one ear is involved, the MEDPOR framework is customized to match the normal ear, but is created slightly larger in younger children so the ear will be adult-sized. The framework is then covered by the patient’s own tissue (called a flap) which is brought down as a thin “living membrane” from underneath the scalp.
Who is a candidate for Medpor implant reconstruction?
Candidates for Medpor implant reconstruction include patients with congenital microtia, as well as patients with a traumatic loss of their ear or a prior unsatisfactory ear reconstruction.
What is the best age for ear reconstruction?
The traditional method of ear reconstruction has utilized an ear framework made from rib cartilage. Refinements of the cartilage procedure over the years have reduced the number of needed surgical stages. However, the amount of required harvested cartilage has increased, pushing back the age of reconstruction until 10 years of age or older.
