OBJECTIVE To explore the correlation between early clinical auditory brainstem response and long-term temporal bone development in patients with microtia and atresia. METHODS A retrospective review of clinical data of patients with MA,including ABR examination results in infancy,temporal bone CT results in adolescence and childhood,and basic demographic information. Comparison of ABR thresholds among patients with different temporal bone development statuses. RESULTS Jahrsdoerfer score and the degree of mastoid pneumatization were negatively correlated with ABR air conduction threshold and air-bone gap. The Jahrsdoerfer high score group of patients with congenital aural atresia had significantly lower ABR air conduction threshold(P=0.011) and ABR air-bone gap(P=0.033) than the low Jahrsdoerfer score group. The air conduction threshold(P=0.005) and air-bone gap(P<0.001) of ABR in mastoid process of pneumatic group were lower than those in non-pneumatic group in all patients with MA. The ABR air-conduction threshold(P=0.002) and ABR air-bone gap(P<0.001) in the congenital aural stenosis with cholesteatoma group were higher than those in the non-cholesteatoma group. CONCLUSION For patients with MA,ABR examination in infancy not only reflects the patients' hearing status but also has predictive value for temporal bone development.

Objective:To explore the safety and reliability of retrosigmoid approach BONEBRIDGE implantation in patients with auricle reconstruction using skin expansion flap.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 43 congenital aural atresia cases (43 ears) who underwent BONEBRIDGE implantation from September 2019 to January 2023 in Beijing Tongren Hospital. 30 males and 13 females were included in this work. The implantation age was 9-36 years old (median age=10 y/o). All cases underwent auricle reconstruction surgery using the posterior ear flap expansion method, with 36 cases using the single expanded postauricular flap method and 7 cases using two-flap method. BONEBRIDGE implant surgery was performed during the third stage of auricle reconstruction or after all stages. The hearing improvements were evaluated by comparing the changes in pure tone hearing threshold and speech recognition rate of patients before and after BONEBRIDGE implantation. Routine follow-up was conducted to observe the hearing results and complications. SPSS 14.0 software was applied for data statistical analysis.Results:All 43 patients healed well and had no surgical complications when discharge. The average bone conduction hearing threshold after surgery was (8.2±6.6) dBHL, and there was no statistically significant difference compared to the preoperative [(8.1±5.7) dBHL] ( P=0.95). After surgery, the threshold of hearing assistance with power on was significantly lower than that without hearing assistance [(32.8±4.6) dBHL vs (60.5±5.5) dBHL], and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). The speech recognition rate of monosyllable words, disyllabic words and short sentences in quiet environment increased to 72%, 84%, and 98% respectively. The differences were statistically significant ( P<0.001). The speech recognition rate of monosyllabic words, disyllabic words, and short sentences in noise environment was significantly increased by 70%, 80%, and 92% respectively ( P<0.001). After a follow-up of 4 to 47 months (median=24 months), the hearing results were stable and the aesthetic outcomes were satisfying. One patient had delayed hematoma around coil of the implant. After aspiration and compressed dressing for one week, hematoma was not recurrent. Conclusion:For patients after auricle reconstruction using expanded postauricular flap, the preference of retrosigmoid approach is a good choice in terms of safety and reliability of operation, as well as aesthetic appearance.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of two-stage auricular reconstruction combined with Bonebridge implantation in the treatment of congenital microtia.Methods:The clinical data of 52 patients with congenital microtia and hearing impairment were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were admitted to the Plastic Surgery Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from June 2017 to August 2019. There were 35 males and 17 females, aged 6-12 years. All patients received the two-stage surgery. The first stage surgery was Nagata’s technique described as follows: rib cartilage harvest and framework implantation. The second stage surgery combined auricle elevation with Bonebridge implantation. Postoperative follow-up was conducted to evaluate the effect of the operation through auricular morphology and auditory evaluation. The auricular morphology was subjectively evaluated by the patient and the patient’s family members. The audiometric evaluation mainly included the comparisons of the pure tone audiometry results and speech recognition rate of the patients before and after the operation. SPSS 19.0 software was used for data analysis. The measurement data were showed as Mean±SD, and the comparison results were analyzed by paired t test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:After follow-ups of 3-10 months, with an average of 6 months, the spatial three-dimensional structure and local subunit morphology of the reconstructed ears were satisfactory in 47 patients (90.4%). Four patients had obvious scarring or keloid in retroauricular region, which affected the aesthetic outcome. The results of pure tone audiometry at 3 weeks after surgery showed that the postoperative air conduction threshold was (38.8±7.2) dB HL, which decreased by (33.6±6.2) dB HL compared to that before surgery (72.4±9.0) dB HL, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=38.13, P<0.001). The speech recognition rate was increased by 24%-67%, which was improved from 31.9% before surgery to 85.0% after surgery. The difference was statistically significant ( t=-40.15, P<0.001). Conclusions:Auricular reconstruction and Bonebridge implantation were carried out in one stage of surgery, so that the patients with congenital microtia could obtain good auricular morphology and improve their hearing significantly.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of two-stage auricular reconstruction combined with Bonebridge implantation in the treatment of congenital microtia.Methods:The clinical data of 52 patients with congenital microtia and hearing impairment were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were admitted to the Plastic Surgery Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from June 2017 to August 2019. There were 35 males and 17 females, aged 6-12 years. All patients received the two-stage surgery. The first stage surgery was Nagata’s technique described as follows: rib cartilage harvest and framework implantation. The second stage surgery combined auricle elevation with Bonebridge implantation. Postoperative follow-up was conducted to evaluate the effect of the operation through auricular morphology and auditory evaluation. The auricular morphology was subjectively evaluated by the patient and the patient’s family members. The audiometric evaluation mainly included the comparisons of the pure tone audiometry results and speech recognition rate of the patients before and after the operation. SPSS 19.0 software was used for data analysis. The measurement data were showed as Mean±SD, and the comparison results were analyzed by paired t test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:After follow-ups of 3-10 months, with an average of 6 months, the spatial three-dimensional structure and local subunit morphology of the reconstructed ears were satisfactory in 47 patients (90.4%). Four patients had obvious scarring or keloid in retroauricular region, which affected the aesthetic outcome. The results of pure tone audiometry at 3 weeks after surgery showed that the postoperative air conduction threshold was (38.8±7.2) dB HL, which decreased by (33.6±6.2) dB HL compared to that before surgery (72.4±9.0) dB HL, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=38.13, P<0.001). The speech recognition rate was increased by 24%-67%, which was improved from 31.9% before surgery to 85.0% after surgery. The difference was statistically significant ( t=-40.15, P<0.001). Conclusions:Auricular reconstruction and Bonebridge implantation were carried out in one stage of surgery, so that the patients with congenital microtia could obtain good auricular morphology and improve their hearing significantly.

Objective: To discuss the safety and efficacy of simultaneous procedures of vibrant soundbridge implantation and auricular reconstruction with congenital external and middle ear malformation. Methods: This is a retrospective study, including 6 patients, 5 boys and 1 girl, aged 7-12 years. All patients received simultaneous operations of vibrant soundbridge implantation and auricular reconstruction. The mean preoperative air conduction threshold was 64.8 dB HL at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz. The VSB was placed in the third stage of auricle reconstruction, if the soft tissue expansion was performed; otherwise, the VSB was implanted in the second stage. The satisfaction with reconstructed auricle, surgical complications, hearing improvement and speech discrimination scores were evaluated 6 months after surgery. Results: All patients and their families reported satisfaction with their reconstructed auricle. There was no complications, including cartilage framework exposion, infection, hematoma, skin flap necrosis, facial paralysis, tinnitus, vertigo or others. Post-operatively, mean VSB-aided hearing threshold was 36.7 dB HL, which was reduced by 28.1 dB HL. The mean speech discrimination scores measured in a sound field with a presentation level of 65 dB SPL and 80 dB SPL were improved. Conclusions The simultaneous operations of auricle reconstruction and Vibrant Soundbridge implantation is an alternative method for patients with congenital microtia and atresia.

Objective: To summarize the experience of the diagnosis, treatment and effects of the cases with coexistence of first branchial cleft anomaly(FBCA) and microtia with congenital aural atresia or stenosis(external auditory canal stenosis, EACS). Method: This was a retrospective study. The clinical data of 5 patients with microtia and EACS in Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University from October 2015 to March 2018 were collected, including 3 males and 2 females, aged from 5 to 28 years. The clinical characteristics, imaging findings, treatment methods and effects of 5 patients were analyzed. Result: The 5 cases were all coexistence of EACS and FBCA, three of who associated with cholesteatoma of external auditory canal. CT showed external auditory canal stenosis with soft tissue shadow, sometimes gas or bone septum found inside, filling in the external auditory canal, combined with canal bone destruction irregularly. All patients underwent surgical resection of FBCA, 3 patients accompanied by cholesteatoma resection and canalplasty. The postoperative follow-up ranged from 10 to 39 months, and no recurrence of infection was observed. Conclusions EACS and FBCA both result from maldevelopment of the first branchial cleft. These two malformations, FBCA and EACS with or without cholesteatoma, can occur simultaneously, in which situation CT shows external auditory canal stenosis with soft tissue shadow inside. These patients underwent surgical resection of FBCA combined with cholesteatoma resection with good result.

Objective? To summarize the efficacy,advantages and nursing experience of the new non-invasive auricle appliance in the treatment of congenital auricle deformities. Methods? Earwell, a new non-invasive auricle appliance, was used to correct 177 children with congenital auricle deformity (258 ears). The nursing points were summarized, including guiding parents' expectations scientifically, parents' health guidance and practice, observation and nursing of the appliance, home management through Wechat platform and complication management. Results? Among the 177 cases, 2 cases (2 ears) failed to complete the correction treatment due to poor compliance; 4 cases (single ear) had eczema, 2 cases (2 ears) had skin pressure sores;1 case (2 ears) had periauricular skin allergies, and finally 168 cases (244 ears) were successfully treated. Earwell appliance treatment success rate was 94%,of which 189 cases were excellent and 55 cases were good. Conclusions? Congenital auricle deformities treatment with Earwell auricle appliance is significantly effective.

Objective: To evaluate the auditory efficacy of Bonebridge implantation in patients with bilateral congenital malformation of external and middle ear. Methods: Eleven cases (6 males and 5 females) had unilateral Bonebridge implantation. The age ranged from 8 to 26 and the average age was 16.9. Seven to ten days after operation, the first fitting was undergone. In acoustic sound field, the average auditory thresholds were respectively measured for unaided ears and Bonebridge implanted ears by pure tone auditory (PTA, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz). For the group over 12-year-old, MSTM was applied to evaluate speech discrimination score (SDS). For the other cases, MLNT was used as the test material. The auditory efficacy post Bonebridge implantation would be analyzed and evaluated by comparing the differences between unaided ears and Bonebridge implanted ears. Results: The bone conduction audibility threshold after Bonebridge implantation was as well as the preoperative. The auditory threshold with Bonebridge aided was improved to 25-35 dB HL, when compared to that of the unaided ears in the sound field. The SDS in the group over 12-year-old was improved about 50%; the efficacy was slightly limited for the other two cases (both less than 12 years old). Statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences between unaided ears and Bonebridge implanted ears in the sound field and SDS(P<0.05). Conclusions The auditory efficacy of Bonebridge is significant and noticeable in patients with bilateral congenital malformation of external and middle ear. Bonebridge provides a new and effective way for patient with congenital malformation of external and middle ear to reconstruct hearing.

OBJECTIVETo study the role of interleukin 17 (IL-17) in the pathogenesis of chronic otitis media with effusion (COME).METHODSThe expression of IL-17 in middle ear effusion (MEE) and blood plasma were measured in 30 patients (48 ears) by means of Cytometric Bead Array (CBA), as well as in 20 normal volunteers.RESULTSCompared with the control group, the level of IL-17 significantly increased in the peripheral blood of COME patients (P<0.05). What was more, the level of IL-17 in the MEE was higher than that in peripheral blood of COME patients (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONIL-17, as an important immunoregulatory mediator, may play an important role in chronic course of COME.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Congenital Abnormalities ; pathology ; surgery ; Ear ; abnormalities ; pathology ; surgery ; Facial Nerve ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Young Adult