Teen Born With Microtia Undergoes Single-Stage Ear Reconstruction Using Rib Cartilage in Madurai

ENT surgeons at Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre (MMHRC), Madurai, Tamil Nadu, have reconstructed the left ear of a 16-year-old boy born with microtia using cartilage harvested from his own ribs. The hospital said the procedure, which is typically performed in multiple stages, was completed in a single surgery.

Hospital Performs Single-Stage Ear Reconstruction

Doctors at Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre have reconstructed a 16-year-old boy’s ear using rib cartilage in single-stage surgery.

At a press conference held on Thursday, doctors announced that they had successfully reconstructed the left ear of a 16-year-old boy born with microtia.

According to the hospital, the boy was born with Grade II microtia, a congenital condition in which the external ear does not develop normally. During the operation, surgeons harvested rib cartilage from the patient, sculpted it into a three-dimensional framework matching his normal right ear, and implanted it beneath the skin to reconstruct the left ear.

Doctors said the reconstruction used the patient's own rib cartilage instead of artificial implants. Advanced 3D planning was used to recreate the shape and contours of the patient's normal ear, helping achieve a natural appearance.

Four Surgical Steps Completed in One Operation

The surgery was led by Senior Consultant and HOD, Department of ENT, Dr. D.R. Nageswaran. Medical Administrator Dr. B. Kannan, Associate Consultant Dr. Rakesh R. Bright and Consultant Dr. Hariharan were present.

The hospital stated that the procedure involved four major steps performed during a single operation:

• Harvesting rib cartilage from the patient.

• Carving and shaping the cartilage to replicate the opposite ear.

• Removing the underdeveloped ear while preserving the overlying skin and blood supply.

• Positioning and securing the newly created ear framework in the correct anatomical location.

According to the hospital, these steps are conventionally carried out as separate procedures with intervals between them.

Speaking about the procedure to TOI, Dr. D.R. Nageswaran said:

He added that although hearing restoration depends on the condition of the middle and inner ear, reconstructive surgery can significantly improve the cosmetic appearance of children born with microtia.

Hospital Reports Reduced Need for Multiple Procedures

The hospital reported that completing the reconstruction in a single sitting eliminated the need for multiple staged surgeries that are commonly performed for similar cases.

The hospital said the single-stage approach reduced hospital stay, postoperative pain, and the need for repeated hospital admissions while helping patients recover more quickly than conventional staged reconstruction.

(Rh/SS/MSM)