Dr. John Reinisch pioneered the ear reconstruction technique with a porous polyethylyene (PPE) implant in 1991. It is now the most advanced surgical treatment for microtia — and the foundation of the unique combined approach offered through the Learn Microtia program.
The implant is made of a microporous, high-density polyethylene implant designed to reconstruct the outer ear. The framework is biocompatible — meaning the body’s own blood vessels and tissue integrate with the material, promoting natural healing without rejecting it.
Each implant is customized to match the shape and projection of the patient’s opposite ear, aiming for a natural looking ear and symmetry.
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Dr. Reinisch typically completes implant ear reconstruction in a single procedure. Traditional rib cartilage methods require at least two separate surgeries. One surgery means less time under anesthesia, less disruption to the family, and faster results.
Usually, implant ear reconstruction is performed as an outpatient surgery. Patients typically go home the same day, with a recovery focused on comfort and protective care of the surgical site.
Because this method does not require harvesting rib cartilage from the patient’s body, there is no donor site, no chest scar, and significantly less post-operative discomfort. Light activities can usually resume within days.
We offer a combined approach in which cosmetic appearance and functional hearing can be addressed at the same time. This can be either a canalplasty (CAM: Combined Atresia Microtia repair), or the placement of a hearing device.
| Implant Reconstruction | Rib Cartilage | |
| Number of surgeries | Typically 1 | A minimum of 2 |
| Earliest age | ~3 years | ~8–10 years |
| Donor site scar | No | Yes (chest) |
| Hospitalization | Outpatient (same-day) | Usually 1-3 days |
| Recovery pain | Minimal | Moderate |
| Hearing restoration in the same session | Yes (with CAM or device) | Requires a separate procedure |
| Post-Surgical Drains | No | Yes |
MEDPOR was the original PPE (porous polyethylene) ear implant — like “Kleenex” for the category. In practice, we now use PPE implants such as Omnipore and Su-Por, which evolved from the original MEDPOR design.
