Sculpting a New Ear : A Series of Reconstructive Surgeries Gives Westminster Girl What Nature Did Not
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
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Sense of Surgery
Constructing an outer ear for a patient born without one, or who lost one in an accident, has become a relatively simple surgery for Dr. Burt Brent. How the ear is created:
1. Two pieces of cartilage removed from patient’s ribs.
2. Cartilage sculpted and sewn together to form outer ear.
3. Skin at side of head slit, pocket cleared and cartilage slipped into pocket.
4. Skin stitched in front. Vaccum tube removes fluids, helping skin attach to ear and preventing blood clots; tube removed after five days.
Source: Dr. Burt Brent; Researched by APRIL JACKSON / Los Angeles Times
