In the children's park downstairs in the residential area, the mothers of several children got together and whispered something while watching Jessica Hester Hsuan who was afraid to go forward and play with other children in the corner.

I thought my mother Hu Hui couldn't hear me. I didn't expect every word they said and every strange look they gave me to be stuck in her heart like a needle.

Since Jessica Hester Hsuan was diagnosed with microtia, Hu Hui fell into the abyss of infinite self-reproach, thinking that he had made his children the talk of people around him after dinner.

It was not until she went to the hospital to understand the treatment plan that she knew that the cause of microtia was unknown, and she could not conclude that it was related to her mother, so there was no need to feel excessively guilty. On the contrary, parents need to actively guide their children to accept their differences, which will be more conducive to their healthy growth.

So how high is the incidence of microtia in China? Do you have to have an operation? Health Network invited Wang Yongzhen, a plastic surgeon at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, to share the diagnosis and treatment of microtia.

Microauricular malformation, also known as congenital malformation of external ear and middle ear, is one of the most important congenital defects in neonatal maxillofacial region and a major body surface defect. Usually, there is no auricle shape, small auricle or other secondary deformities. The most typical is that the ear is completely undeveloped, with only a spherical or sausage-shaped earlobe and atresia of the external auditory canal.

However, the development of the inner ear is mostly normal, and there is some hearing through bone conduction. It can occur alone, or it can be part of the symptoms of Goldenhar syndrome and Treacher Collins syndrome.

According to statistics, the incidence of microtia in China is 5. 18/ 10000, which is equivalent to about 5 people per 10000. Clinically, male is more common than female (2: 1), and right deformity is more common, and bilateral deformity accounts for about 10% of patients.

So far, the cause of microtia is not clear. "It is mainly caused by embryonic dysplasia." Wang Yongzhen added, "Generally speaking, the human ear is developed from the first and second branchial arches. If the development is abnormal, microtia often occurs. "

In addition, some studies believe that it is the result of the interaction of environmental and genetic factors.

Among the environmental factors, mother's viral cold in early pregnancy, overreaction in pregnancy, toxic substances in home decoration, etc. , may be the factors leading to microtia; In patients with family history of microtia, the genetic incidence is between 2.9% and 33.8%.

"If some mothers are still worried that their children will have congenital diseases, they should pay attention to maintaining healthy and regular living habits during pregnancy and minimize irritation."

Wang Yongzhen said that regular prenatal examination is essential. If necessary, you can also do some three-dimensional or four-dimensional color ultrasound examination to make a more comprehensive observation of the fetus.

"Is microtia surgery necessary?" "When is the right time for surgery?" These are two questions that Wang Yongzhen is often asked in the clinic.

He said that the treatment of microtia mainly includes hearing reconstruction and autogenous cartilage auricle reconstruction, but not every patient needs surgery.

If the patient's hearing function is not particularly affected and there is no serious appearance anxiety, in fact, surgery can be avoided. "If the patient is willing, this is ok. Although it is an elective operation, we generally recommend that the patient's auricle is fully developed after 6 years old. "

Regarding parents' concern that the shape of children's reconstructed ears is different from that of ordinary people, Wang Yongzhen replied that from the appearance, ordinary people will not find anything unusual.

However, it should be noted that the artificial reconstructed ear is harder than the normal auricle and needs careful care, such as avoiding oppression when sleeping and bumping at ordinary times. It is also necessary to clean the dirt on the auricle regularly.

Wang Yongzhen emphasized that surgical treatment is only a part of correcting microtia. More importantly, parents need to give their children psychological counseling so that they can learn to accept their imperfections and face life positively and optimistically.