Reinisch Plastic Surgery

At Reinisch Plastic Surgery, we love what we do because we see how ear reconstruction can change our patients' lives. Just like you, we want your child to live the best life possible. We also want microtia treatment to be as easy, convenient, and pain-free as possible. Dr. John Reinisch is a world-renowned microtia surgeon based in Los Angeles, CA. He created the innovative MEDPOR® reconstruction technique in 1991, which offers many benefits to children and their families. Dr. Reinisch also corrects the disappointing results of previous ear reconstruction surgeries, as well as repairing damage from ear injuries. His patients and other physicians come from around the world to benefit from his skill, advanced techniques, and compassion.

Dr. John Reinish offers a range of ear reconstruction options that can create a natural-looking result for microtia patients, allowing them to feel more confident about their appearance. Dr. Reinisch can collaborate with a top otologist during treatment to create or correct an ear canal, which can dramatically improve hearing and allow your child to develop more natural speech patterns. We offer a variety of microtia treatment options, including the MEDPOR® system invented by Dr. Reinish himself. Depending on your child's needs, we can discuss your options and find the right approach.

Atresia repair is performed under general anesthesia. To protect your child’s health and safety, your otologist works with a pediatric anesthesiologist. When your child is comfortably sedated, the otologist will create a channel running through the temporal bone - the part of the skull located just below the ear. When he gets close to the delicate middle ear, he will use a highly precise surgical laser to evaporate cells and create the last portion of the canal. Next, he will use a skin graft to create a new eardrum. The tissue is typically taken from the scalp, resulting in negligible scarring. When your child’s hearing is compromised, it can affect all areas of life. With the creation of the MEDPOR® surgical technique, they can now perform microtia treatment and atresia repair when your child is as young as three years old, meaning he or she will have the hearing needed to acquire basic language skills.

A trusted otologist will perform ear canal reconstruction, also known as canaloplasty. Dr. Reinisch will perform the cosmetic aspects of the procedure, typically using a polyethylene MEDPOR® implant to create an outer ear framework. Your treatment team will carefully plan the procedure during an initial consultation. The surgery itself will take place under general anesthesia. To ensure your child’s complete safety, we work with experienced pediatric anesthesiologists. Your child’s surgeon will first create an opening where the ear canal would normally be located. He or she will line this opening with a skin graft and, if necessary, reposition the inner ear bones to ensure better hearing. In some cases, the doctor may need to create a new eardrum as well, using an additional skin graft. Once this process is complete, Dr. Reinisch will reconstruct the outer ear, typically using the MEDPOR® technique.

MEDPOR ear reconstruction is a single-stage surgery, which is especially beneficial for our out-of-town or international patients. The surgery can be completed in a few hours, and our team will contact you every 90 minutes throughout the procedure to keep you updated on the progress. Dr. Reinisch in Beverly Hills may perform ear canal repair before or during MEDPOR surgery. When he addresses aural atresia at an early age, children can experience better hearing and an improved ability to process and learn language. This treatment can help your child face a lower risk of developing speech disorders and language difficulties. Moreover, when the doctor corrects the cosmetic aspects of microtia before children start school, they can avoid a significant amount of psychological distress.

The surgeries start when the child has grown big enough, typically between six and ten years of age, to provide enough rib cartilage to make an adult size ear. First, the cartilage from several ribs is removed through an incision on the child’s chest. The cartilage is carved and pieced together to create an ear framework. This framework is buried underneath the scalp. After the ear has healed, more surgeries are required to complete the reconstruction: elevating the ear away from the scalp, repositioning the earlobe and other adjustments.

If you choose to enhance your appearance with a silicone ear, an experienced anaplastologist will carefully fabricate a prosthesis, using a mold of your unaffected ear. This customized precision means that your new ear will match the shape, skin color, and size of your healthy ear. There are two types of prosthetic ears. The first adheres to the skin using safe, biocompatible glue, and the second type is called an osseointegrated prosthesis. If you choose to receive an osseointegrated prosthetic ear, your surgeon will place several titanium implant posts into the bone around the ear. The silicone ear will then snap securely onto these implants. Both types of prostheses are removable. You should take off your prosthetic ear before you sleep or participate in athletic activities, and you should also remove it once a day to thoroughly clean the ear and underlying tissue.