It was an absolute privilege to kick off a brand new year with a brand new ear.
Despite numerous setbacks and cancellations during 2020, our latest superhero Saifan finally got his big ear on Monday 18 January 2021.
Saifan is 6 years old and has microtia, a condition where one of his ears never fully formed in the womb. He is now one of only a handful of children to undergo the Custom 3D Ear Reconstruction technique here in Australia since our first superhero Maxim received his in March 2019.
This technique can be performed as young as 4 years of age and carries with it minimal pain and scarring compared to the traditional rib cartilage technique, which we still use in older ear reconstruction patients under certain circumstances, and especially in the developing world where these newer techniques are not yet available.
Technology enabled us to take an optical 3D scan of Saifan’s other ear and then, using 3D printing technology, create a mirror image biocompatible implant. I literally spend hours online with the software engineers analysing the 3D scan of the healthy ear and refining the computer assisted design of the implant. The more work I put into the design before the surgery means less time customising the implant during surgery, a shorter anaesthetic and a speedier recovery.
I was also able to show a model of the implant we used to Saifan and his parents before surgery so they had the chance to tell me if they liked it and were happy with its size and shape. I am always amazed that if I show a child 4 different ears they can always pick their own ear out of the lineup!
Read about Maxim’s and Sebastian’s journey with their custom 3D printed ears
Then I receive a little white cardboard box with my patient’s name on it, and that’s when it gets really exciting! When a custom 3D ear arrives ready for a day of ear reconstruction, it reminds me that we are living the future of personalised medicine.
On the big day I pack my kitbag with all the essentials, including Saifan’s superhero mask, which doubles as the planning jig I use to translate the positioning information from the 3D scan into real life. Saifan’s new big ear was implanted under a living tissue membrane (called the TPF flap) and covered with skin grafts. Over time the implant will become integrated with Saifan’s skin and deeper tissues.
It was a long day’s work but with the indefatigable Dr Nik Lotz alongside, and some earlier advice and guidance from Dr Sheryl Lewin on this case, I was very proud of what our team achieved.
Update 27 January 2021
All our excitement was rewarded the following week at Saifan’s “big ear reveal”.
It was such a great feeling to remove the dressing and to see Saifan’s brand new, pink and healthy big left ear one week after his custom 3D ear reconstruction surgery, but more importantly to see his smile when he looked in the mirror for the first time.
And even though his dressing change took place within an episode of “How to Train Your Dragon 2”, and there were brand new Pokémon cards to play with, it was great to see Saifan couldn’t take his eyes off his new big ear in his mirror.
Both his parents and I were so impressed and proud of his maturity and calm attitude. I feel blessed to be able to do what I do and so thankful Saifan’s mum and dad trusted me to take care of him.
Update 10 February 2021
We are going to miss Saifan and his parents as they head back to Queensland after his successful Custom 3D ear reconstruction for his left sided microtia. Normally he would have only needed to stay in Sydney for one or two nights after his surgery but due to COVID and border closure uncertainty, he and his family have stayed for a few weeks and it has been great getting to know them better.
On our final meeting we had fun looking through my sons’ Pokémon collection which is a shared passion between Saifan and my boys. And Saifan even got to choose some Evolves to keep, though I am sure there will be some epic battles to win them back when my family and I come north to Brisbane for the next Hear and Say Microtia conference.
Getting to know amazing families like Saifan’s is a major part of why I love what I do. And watching him grow into a confident young man and to have played a small part in that journey will be one of the great privileges of my life.
Note: just as no two individuals are alike, no two surgical results will be exactly alike. Seek surgical advice from a FRACS qualified professional.