Prosthetic earsEar - this is the most decorative structure consisting of complex folds of cartilage covered with skin. Its aesthetic qualities are extremely important. Approximately 1 in 6,000 children are born without one or both ears (microtia). Also people may lose their ears in later life.
The loss of the whole or part of the ear can cause a person stress. In some patients, especially adolescents, it can cause serious psychological problems. The absence of ear causing such inconveniences as the inability to use glasses, bluetooth headsets, headphones.
Reconstruction of the auricle after its removal or resection as a result of malignant tumors is very difficult, since the components of the ear is very difficult to replace.
Some people feel quite comfortable without the ear and not in need of renovation. For other patients, there are 2 variants of reconstruction: a graft own tissues, which is attached to the bones of the skull with titanium clips.
Reconstruction of the ear's own tissues is one of the most difficult operations in plastic surgery and does not always produce the desired result.
In the case of the endoprosthesis replacement technique is used, called osseointegration, developed by a Swedish expert Brånemark.
It is important to prepare the surface of the scalp in the ear before the final reconstruction, as the blood got on the prosthesis can permanently damage it.
The operation of the installation of implants takes about 1.5 hours. Initially determined the exact location of supports - on the temporal bone at 2 cm from the ear canal. At this distance the hole in the ear prosthesis is identical with the auditory passage.
Implanted support for implants made of porous titanium fused with the bone in three months. Then allowed to sit on the support silicone implants. They are cast on the individual patient size. To the ear was most similar to the present, with special paint to paint it a natural pigment can be simulated even small vessels. After about 2 years will require prosthetic replacement, but this procedure takes a few minutes. The hardest part - Implants - persist throughout life.
The artificial ears, like the teeth, to care: daily brushing, and clean metal fastenings.
