Overview of experience of Tanzer's group with microtia.
A review of our patients since Dr. Tanzer's retirement in 1970 shows good and lasting results after reconstruction of microtia using autogenous cartilage frameworks and staged procedures. There has been no evidence of shrinkage or distortion of the cartilage in any of our own patients, and the majority of them are pleased with their ears. With a cooperative and well-motivated patient and surgeons who are skilled and experienced in the procedure, ears can be made with a relatively normal size, shape, and position to match closely the other side. We continue to feel strongly that autogenous cartilage is the safest and best material to use for the ear framework. At some time in the future the body may be taught to accept homografts as if they were its own tissue, and allografts may be available that are tolerated as well as living tissue. Until then we will rely on autogenous tissue and our present techniques, which have produced long-lasting good results. Altogether the combined experience with ear reconstruction of Tanzer's group at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center spans more than 30 years.