Customized auricular stent for recanalization

Abstract

Congenital aural atresia is a developmental deformity present at birth which involves some degree of hypoplasia or aplasia of the external auditory canal that causes both esthetic and functional impairments. Canalization surgery is the corrective procedure done to create communication between the external ear and the middle ear to improve conduction hearing. Literature shows canalization can be failed by a high restenosis rate (8%–42%). In this case report of a 6-year-old male child with complaints of reduced hearing and lack of speech clarity with a history of a failed previous canalplasty, the diagnosis was microtia of the left side and atresia of the right external auditory canal. Right ear external recanalization surgery along with the use of a surgical stent was planned. The impression for the stent is made during the surgery itself to ensure the success of the procedure. Long-term maintenance of the surgical stent reduced restenosis. In the follow-up, the audiological assessment showed a good outcome; and normal hearing, in a postoperative period of 6 months. Based on the outcome of this case report a suggestion can be put forward that “to ensure the best prognosis after canalization procedure, the long-term usage of a customized surgical stent is essential.”