Brent technique for microtia reconstruction

The Brent technique for microtia repair was first published in 1974 and developed from principles espoused by Tanzer. This process involves careful meticulous planning with creation of preoperative templates. The surgical reconstruction involves 4 stages. Stage 1 is started as early as 6 years of age with harvest of a contralateral costal cartilage and subdermal placement through an anterior auricular incision. Additional stages involved creation and inset of a lobule, elevation of the auricle and creation of a posterior sulcus and grafting of a tragus and deepening of the conchal bowl. Long-term outcomes are successful with this technique with minimal incidence of infection, extrusion, and hematoma. These cartilage constructs grow simultaneously with the patient and the unaffected ear.