+ Aural atresia surgery

A surgery to rebuild or create an ear canal. For individuals with a narrow or closed ear canal, this surgery typically involves lining the new canal with a skin graft, and reconstructing the middle ear bones (ossicles) to improve hearing.

+ Bone anchored hearing aid installation surgery

Surgery to implant a bone anchored hearing aid device into the temporal bone with a screw and fixture or a magnetically coupled plate.

+ Combined Atresia Microtia repair surgery (CAM)

Outer ear recostruction and atresiaplasty performed during the same one stage surgery.

+ Ear reconstruction surgery

A staged operation used in the treatment of ear differences (such as a missing, underdeveloped or misshapen outer ear.) Options include: rib reconstruction (autologous rib graft), reconstruction with a polyethylene material (Medpor, Su-Por, OMNIPORE), and changing the shape of the ear (otoplasty).

+ Medpor, OMNIPORE, or Su-Por reconstruction

Ear reconstruction surgery that uses a pre-fabricated artificial porous polyethylene framework to create the ear shape. This framework is then covered by a flap of tissue from the side of the head that lies just below the scalp, and a skin graft.

+ Otoplasty

A surgical operation to change the shape of, to restore or enhance the appearance of the ear cartilage.

+ Rib graft ear reconstruction

2-4 separate surgeries in which rib cartilage is harvested and used to create a framework like an ear. The framework is then implanted in a skin pocket under the scalp on the skull where the new ear will be located. This allows the cartilage framework to become part of the patient's live tissue. After 3 to 4 months, the second stage of the surgery is performed. Incisions are made behind the ear to release the ear from the scalp skin and the cartilage framework is lifted up to give it adequate projection. A skin graft is then used to help cover the backside of the newly lifted ear.

+ Tympanoplasty

Surgery to repair a hole in the ear drum.

+ Tympanostomy

A surgical procedure to insert ear tubes.

+ Tympanostomy tubes

Tiny cylinders, usually made of plastic or metal, that are surgically inserted into the eardrum. An ear tube creates an airway that ventilates the middle ear and prevents the accumulation of fluids behind the eardrum.

+ Anophthalmia surgery

Surgery to increase the size of the eye socket.

+ Epibulbar dermoid surgery

Surgical procedure to remove an epibulbar dermoid.

+ Strabismus surgery

A surgical procedure that involves sewing the eye muscle to the wall of the eye after altering the insertion position and/or the length of the muscle.

+ Tear duct surgery

A surgical procedure performed by opthalmologists to unblock or drain obstructed or infected tear ducts, or other parts of the tear (lacrimal) system.

+ Adenoidectomy

Surgical removal of the adenoid glands.

+ Cleft palate surgery

Surgical procedure to repair cleft palate.

+ Jaw distraction surgery

A surgical method of lengthening a small or recessed jaw by mechanically growing the jaw over time (see also distraction osteogenesis).

+ Macrostomia surgery

Surgery to close the opening at the corner of the mouth.

+ Orthognathic surgery

Facial bones (such as the upper and the lower jaws) may grow less or grow slowly in areas impacted by craniofacial microsomia. To create a horizontal bite, sometimes orthognathic surgery (jaw surgery) is performed on the upper and lower jaws. This can occur stepwise or in tandem and often this occurs in adolesence, after a child has stopped growing.

+ Rib graft jaw reconstruction

Surgery in which rib cartilage is harvested and used to extend or reconstuct part of the underdeveloped lower jaw; this technique can be used to help create or reconsruct a condyle (the round prominence at the end of a bone).

+ Tonsillectomy

Surgical removal of the tonsils, two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the throat.

+ Tracheostomy

The creation of an opening at the front of the neck so a tube (tracheostomy tube) can be inserted into the windpipe (trachea) to help you breathe.

+ Tracheotomy

The surgery performed to create a tracheostomy (see tracheostomy).

+ Gastrojejunostomy

A surgical procedure that connects part of the stomach to the jejunum (the middle part of the small intestine)

+ Gastrojejunostomy tube (GJ-tube)

A feeding tube that enters the stomach and extends into the jejunum deep in the intestine. This type of tube allows for nutrition to be delivered directly into the intestines.

+ Gastronomy tube (G tube)

A tube is surgically inserted into the stomach through the abdomen. It's used to supply nutrition when an individual is unable to reach all of their nutrition by mouth.

+ Distraction osteogenesis

A way to make a longer bone out of a shorter one. After a bone is cut during surgery (osteotomy), a device called a distractor pulls the 2 pieces of bone apart slowly to allow new bone to grow in (osteogenesis) and lengthen.

+ Facial nerve palsy surgery

A surgical procedure in which the surgeon removes healthy muscle tissue with its nerve and blood vessels, from one part of the body area and implants it into the paralyzed side of the face. This is usually done in more than one stage. Also known as "facial reanimation surgery".

+ Fat grafting surgery

The surgical process by which fat is transferred from one area of the body to another area.

+ Lower hairline

A surgical procedure that involves shortening the forehead while moving the hairline forward. Hair grafting is another way to bring the hairline lower.

+ Rib graft

Ribs and their cartilage can be harvested to help create or extend jaws, and/or to create ears for individuals with microtia. Also called costochondral (rib and cartilage) graft.