Source: BBC News
A boy who was born without ears has had a pair created from his ribs.
Nine-year-old Kieran Sorkin had the surgery at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital.
About 100 children a year in the UK are born without one or both ears, a condition known as microtia.
Kieran was born deaf with small lobes where his ears should be. He can already hear, thanks to previous surgery to implant a hearing aid.
“I want people to stop asking me questions”, said Kieran from Hertfordshire. “I’d like just to look like my friends.
“I’d also like to be able to wear sunglasses and earphones.”
Kieran’s mum Louise Sorkin said: “He’s a very sociable boy and has longed for this operation for years.
“I don’t want children bullying him because he’s different. I just want him to be accepted like everyone else.”
On the morning of the operation, consultant plastic surgeon Neil Bulstrode stencils the shape of Louise Sorkin’s ears.
He said: “When a patient has one ear we can match the new ear to that. Fortunately Kieran’s mum has very pretty ears so that should work well.”
Categories: Health