Microtia & Ear Reconstruction: What Parents Should Know
with Dr. John Reinisch, MD · Plastic Surgeon, Reinisch Plastic Surgery, Beverly Hills
Dr. John Reinisch, board-certified plastic surgeon at Reinisch Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, on choosing a microtia surgeon, why an ear difference is often a surprise at birth, rib cartilage vs. an implant, what surgery day and recovery look like, and when kids can get back to school and sports.
- 0:00When a baby is born without a fully formed ear
- 0:46Welcome & meet Dr. Reinisch
- 1:39What to look for in a microtia surgeon
- 1:57Why an ear difference is often a surprise at birth
- 2:20Rib cartilage at 9 or 10 vs. an implant at a younger age
- 3:23Why experience matters for a rare surgery
- 3:57Children's Hospital LA and the 1991 technique
- 4:36Will a rebuilt ear keep up as your child grows?
- 5:11What to expect on surgery day
- 5:45How kids are put to sleep, and the video for parents
- 6:23A hard decision for parents
- 6:53Recovery, back to school & sports
- 8:23What parents tell him, beyond how the ear looks
- 9:39Teens, adults & revision surgery
- 10:21What he wants parents to understand
- 11:52Wrap-up
For general information, not a substitute for advice from your own doctor.
The guest
Booking details, hours and his full background live on his profile.
Clips from this episode
Under a minute each, cut straight from the interview.
ShortsWhy an ear difference is often a surprise at birth
Ear differences are uncommon, so they usually aren't checked for on an ultrasound.
ShortsWhy some kids don't have to wait until 10 for a new ear
Rib cartilage at 9 or 10 vs. the implant technique he developed in 1991.
ShortsWill a rebuilt ear keep up as your child grows?
Ears are about 85% grown by age three, so a rebuilt ear is made a few millimeters larger.
ShortsThe first two weeks after ear reconstruction
A next-day check, a protective mold for two weeks, then follow-ups by photo or Zoom.
Transcript
A reviewed transcript of this episode will appear here. Until then, the chapters above let you jump to each part of the conversation.