New surgical techniques for the treatment of auricular atresia

The rehabilitation of patients having severe malformation of the auricle with congenital auricular atresia requires plastic surgery and audiologic treatment. After classifying these malformations, various options involving hearing aids and surgery are presented. The main focus is on our new technique of combined auricular reconstruction with construction of the external ear canal and tympanoplasty, the so-called atresia-operation. It is characterised by three steps combining plastic and otologic surgery with prefabrication of the tympanic membrane and the external ear canal. Finally, our current rehabilitation concept for these patients is presented.