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Since microtia is not a very common condition, there is a lack of information not only for families but also for many doctors who do not specifically deal with this issue. Here you will find the information you need to avoid wasting time with unnecessary examinations and to correctly plan your child''s microtia treatment process.
A hearing screening test for children with microtia should preferably be performed before the child leaves the hospital where they were born. There are two test methods: Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) and Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA). Before performing these tests, the baby should be well fed and calm. Ideally, the baby should be asleep. Both tests are painless and harmless. The audiologist or physician decides which test should be performed. Sometimes one, sometimes both tests may be required.
After these tests are completed, no additional examinations or treatments are required apart from routine doctor check-ups recommended every SIX MONTHS until auricular reconstruction.
This is one of the most frequently asked questions by parents of children with microtia. In cases where microtia occurs alone — which represents more than 90% of patients — there is no proven genetic transmission. Therefore, genetic tests are not essential. However, if microtia is accompanied by other anomalies such as Goldenhar Syndrome or Treacher Collins Syndrome, genetic testing may be performed upon the request of the parents.
In addition to microtia, if there is suspicion of anomalies in other parts of the body, additional examinations may be required. These may include imaging tests to detect head, neck, and spinal anomalies, abdominal ultrasonography for kidney abnormalities, and ophthalmologic examinations for eye conditions. It is important that these examinations are performed as early as possible after birth so that necessary treatments can be planned without delay.
This examination is performed to evaluate the ear canal and middle ear structures. Tomography findings are assessed using the JAHRSDOERFER CLASSIFICATION, which assigns a score between 0 and 10. This score is crucial in deciding whether ear canal reconstruction surgery can be performed in children with microtia. According to this system, a score of at least 7 points is required to attempt canal opening surgery.
This examination evaluates the development of thoracic cartilage, which is important in determining the timing of auricular reconstruction surgery. Chest tomography checks whether the cartilage of the 6th, 7th, and 8th ribs is large enough to construct a new ear. If sufficient cartilage development is present, ear reconstruction surgery can be performed from around 5 years of age. If cartilage development is insufficient, surgery may be postponed for 1–2 additional years.
To prevent children from being exposed to radiation at an early age, it is generally recommended that tomography examinations should not be performed before the age of 5 unless absolutely necessary.
Here you will find a chart summarizing important information that can help guide you during this period.
Please carefully examine the visual titled “EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT SCHEDULE OF A CHILD WITH MICROTIA”.
This chart shows which tests or examinations should be performed at specific ages and will guide you from the birth of your child with microtia until ear reconstruction surgery.
