CARTILAGE vs MEDPOR/SUPOR

NATURAL CARTILAGE PLASTIC POLYETHYLENE (MEDPOR/SUPOR)
Ear Material Cartilage Plastic
Will it break? No, cartilage does not break because it is the child's own tissue Yes, it may break because it is made out of a plastic material
Length of surgery & anesthesia 1 to 3 hours 6 to 12 hours
Number of surgeries 2 to 3 1 to 2
Time to complete all surgeries 4 months 1 to 6 months (if adjustment needed)
Age to start surgery 6 years of age 3 years of age
Cost Cost is minimal because we make arrangements with most insurance companies Because of the total length of surgeries, costs vary by surgeon
Psychological Aspects We begin the surgeries around 6 years of age so that by the time the child starts the 1st grade, the ear reconstruction is finished Teasing does not normally begin until the children reach the 1st grade, so we don't feel it is necessary to begin at 3 years of age as some surgeons do
Is the surgery Inpatient or Outpatient? The child is observed overnight ONLY for the first surgery. The remaining surgeries are outpatient. Outpatient

​Dr. Arturo Bonilla smiling in a lab coat

Microtia - Congenital Ear Institute ​Dr. Arturo Bonilla

Microtia - Congenital Ear Institute, led by Dr. Bonilla, is the largest exclusive pediatric microtia center in North America. Dr. Bonilla has been recognized as the leading pediatric microtia surgeon, performing thousands of surgeries for children all over the world. His affiliations include: American Medical Association | American Academy of Otolaryngology

You can contact our office online or by calling (210) 477-3277.

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San Antonio Office

9502 Huebner Rd
Ste 301
San Antonio, TX 78240

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