Dr. Mark Mitchell Jones of Atlanta Plastic Surgery Specialists Releases Groundbreaking Study Comparing Different Types of Microtia Ear Surgery Procedures
Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) October 23, 2014 -- Dr. Mark Mitchell Jones of Atlanta Plastic Surgery Specialists has recently released a groundbreaking study comparing seven different types of Microtia ear surgery procedures. This study represents the most comprehensive comparison of Microtia ear surgery procedures to date and compares seven different types of methods including four types that use synthetic plastic grafts and three types that use natural rib cartilage grafts. Included in the comparison is the Brent/Mark M. Jones Classic method: a natural rib cartilage graft method developed by Dr. Jones.
The study uses data collected from a variety of sources and compares the Microtia methods using synthetic plastic grafts to the Microtia methods that use natural rib cartilage grafts. It looks at 27 different factors affecting patients after surgery (long-term). These factors include important parameters such as ear flexibility, sensation, rejection rates, infection rates, durability, physical limitations and more. It also compares important pre-surgery considerations such as age to begin the procedures, number of procedures required, length of procedures, scarring, tissue loss and more.
Microtia is a congenital deformity that can occur in many different variations from a small or underdeveloped ear to the complete absence of an ear. In some cases of Microtia, the ear canal is very small or absent altogether. Currently, there are a variety of different surgical procedures that can be used to treat Microtia. Some methods use synthetic, plastic grafts to replace or reshape the ear while others use natural cartilage obtained from the patient’s ribs. This has led to much debate among experts regarding which grafting material is better suited for ear microtia reconstruction. Parents of children with Microtia are faced with the difficult decision of which type of procedure to use to correct this genetic deformity in their children. Many parents choose the methods using synthetic plastic grafts since these methods require fewer surgical procedures and procedures that are shorter in duration. However, this comparison shows that the natural rib cartilage grafting method holds many advantages over the synthetic methods in terms of long-term success and a reduced risk for complications. Although the natural rib cartilage grafting methods do require more procedures and a longer period of time before completion, these distinct long-term advantages may cause parents of children with Microtia to reconsider opting for the methods that are easier in the short-term but not as successful in the long-term.
When asked about this groundbreaking study, Dr. Mark Mitchell Jones had this to say, “I am happy to release the findings of this comprehensive comparison of the different types of corrective surgery for Microtia. It is my hope that this study will aid parents of children with Microtia in making the difficult decisions that are required when considering their treatment options.” According to earcommunity.com, Microtia occurs in one out of every 6,000 to 12,000 births. Microtia reconstruction and Atresia repair is a complicated surgical specialty requiring a high level of skill and expertise on the part of the operating surgeon. For this reason, there are very few Microtia reconstruction and Atresia repair specialists in the United States. There are even fewer surgeons who specialize in Microtia using the natural rib cartilage grafting methods. Currently, Dr. Mark Mitchell Jones of Atlanta Plastic Surgery Specialists is the only plastic and reconstructive surgeon in the state of Georgia who specializes in Microtia and Atresia reconstruction surgery using the natural rib cartilage grafting method.
About Dr. Mark Mitchell Jones:
Dr. Mark Mitchell Jones is double board-certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and The American Board of Otolaryngology and has a private plastic and reconstructive surgery practice in Atlanta, Georgia. He specializes in Microtia reconstruction and Atresia repair using a method that he developed using natural rib cartilage grafts. If you would like to get more information about Dr. Mark Mitchell Jones or Microtia reconstruction and Atresia repair surgery, please visit his website at http://www.atlantaear.com or contact his office by calling (404) 355-3566.
Paula Trude, Atlanta Plastic Surgery Specialists, P.C., http://www.atlantaplastic.com, +1 404-355-3566, [email protected]
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