Elevation or "Lifting" of the Ear:
Elevation of Ear/Placement of Medpor Wedge for Protrusion/Full-thickness Skin Graft

Elevation of the Ear and Skin Graft Placement

Length of Surgery: Approx. 1 1/2 hrs.
Length of Hospital Stay: Goes home the same day

Approximately 2 months after the earlobe is created, the elevation or "lifting" procedure is begun. This consists of elevating the newly formed ear from the side of the head as well as placing a skin graft on the undersurface. The full-thickness skin graft is taken from the inguinal area. The graft site is hidden (under the bathing suit or underwear region).

An incision is made behind the newly constructed ear and the undersurface is undermined. Once there is adequate elevation, the framework from a medpor is then opened.		A small piece of medpor is cut out of the original medpor framework. This piece is carved into a boat-shaped wedge.		This small medpor wedge is then placed into the back of the ear for elevation or protrusion. The medpor is covered by a conchal-based flap and a skin graft is then placed over the tissue flap.
The ear now has excellent protrusion. The small medpor wedge on the undersurface is protected by the ear.		This is another example of a patient with microtia after the elevation procedure.		This is yet another example of a patient with microtia after the elevation procedure.

Post-operative Instructions

The patients go home with pain medication as well as antibiotics.

The ear dressing and the sutures are removed around 10 days after surgery.

The upper buttock skin graft donor site dressing is left intact until if falls off on its own.

Contact sports are avoided for about 4 weeks.

The hair may be washed a few weeks after surgery.

The final stage may proceed approximately 2 months later.

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