Question
What are the causes of pediatric external ear deformities, and when is the best time for surgical treatment?
Answer
External ear deformities can be treated through surgical methods, with the age for surgery determined based on individual cases. For example, in cases of simple accessory ears or polydactyly, it is recommended to undergo surgery before school starts to avoid potential psychological harm from peer teasing, which could affect the child’s physical and mental health. For children with bilateral microtia or anotia, accompanied by external auditory canal and middle ear deformities, as well as hearing impairments, it is also recommended to undergo surgery before school starts. This not only corrects the ear deformity but also improves hearing, such as by reconstructing the external auditory canal and treating middle ear deformities through tympanoplasty.