Ear malformations are among the most significant topics in facial plastic surgery (FPS), as they involve both aesthetic reshaping and functional restoration. These malformations, especially congenital cases such as microtia, external auditory canal atresia, and stenosis, demand careful evaluation and individualized management strategies. Importantly, the diagnosis and treatment of ear anomalies require close multidisciplinary collaboration—spanning plastic surgery, otology, audiology, genetics, and biomedical engineering.

In this keynote lecture, we will present an overview of China’s extensive clinical and scientific work in the comprehensive management of congenital ear malformations. Drawing from our center’s experience with thousands of patients, this talk will summarize surgical strategies for auricular correction and functional ear reconstruction, particularly in cases involving external auditory canal stenosis and atresia. We will highlight the challenges and technical refinements involved in these procedures and share outcome data and long-term follow-up.

A key focus will be on the application of bone conduction hearing technologies in patients with congenital outer and middle ear malformations, including selection criteria, surgical techniques, and auditory outcomes. Additionally, we will present recent progress in the genetic study of ear malformations in Chinese populations, including the identification of susceptibility genes and genotype-phenotype correlations that may guide personalized management.

Emerging technologies such as bioengineered materials and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted tools are also opening new possibilities in ear reconstruction. We will discuss their potential value in optimizing surgical planning, prosthesis design, and patient-specific outcomes.

One of the core messages of this keynote will be the importance of establishing a structured and systematic classification for congenital ear anomalies to assist clinical decision-making. Such classification systems are essential in aligning patient expectations with feasible outcomes, especially in complex cases such as congenital auditory canal atresia, where discrepancies between functional demands and achievable surgical results are common.

Outcome Objectives:

·         To provide an in-depth overview of clinical experience and research progress in the multidisciplinary treatment of congenital ear malformations.

·         To highlight challenges in the practice of auricular reconstruction and functional ear surgery for external auditory canal stenosis and atresia.

·         To discuss the indications, techniques, and outcomes of bone conduction hearing devices in complex cases.

·         To introduce recent genetic findings and their clinical implications in ear anomaly diagnosis and counseling.

·         To explore the application of new technologies such as biomaterials and AI in the diagnosis and treatment workflow.

·         To advocate for the development and adoption of standardized classification systems for congenital ear malformations to improve clinical decision-making and patient communication.

This keynote aims to foster international exchange, promote evidence-based standards, and advance the field of congenital ear malformation management.

Auricular reconstruction remains one of the most complex and evolving fields in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Patients with congenital or acquired ear malformations present both aesthetic and functional challenges that demand highly individualized and multidisciplinary treatment approaches. In this 60-minute international symposium, we will invite and bring together leading experts from all over the world to share recent progress, address ongoing challenges, and explore future directions in ear reconstruction. The symposium will include the following topics, each presented by one export:

Surgical Approaches and Clinical Experience in China: This session will provide an overview of the current surgical strategies for auricular reconstruction, including autologous rib cartilage techniques, alloplastic frameworks, and prosthetic ear reconstruction. Drawing on extensive clinical experience from high-volume centers in China, the presentation will highlight best practices, technical innovations, complication management, and long-term patient outcomes. Special emphasis will be placed on how localized adaptations and innovations have contributed to the global advancement of auricular reconstruction.

Functional Ear Reconstruction and Auditory Rehabilitation: Focusing on patients with congenital auditory canal atresia or middle ear malformations, this session will address the functional challenges in ear reconstruction. The discussion will cover various options for auditory rehabilitation—particularly bone conduction hearing devices—and how they are integrated with aesthetic reconstruction efforts. It will also explore the inherent tension between cosmetic goals and hearing restoration, proposing strategies to achieve an optimal balance.

Advances and Challenges in Artificial Materials and Tissue Engineering: This talk will introduce recent developments in bioengineered materials and tissue-engineered scaffolds for auricular reconstruction. Despite promising progress, key challenges such as biocompatibility, mechanical strength, integration with host tissue, and long-term durability continue to limit clinical translation. Case examples and pilot studies will be used to demonstrate the potential and limitations of these emerging technologies.

Genetic and Developmental Biology of Auricular Malformations: The final session will highlight research progress in the genetics and embryology of congenital ear anomalies. Presenters will discuss key genes and molecular pathways identified in recent studies that govern ear development and morphogenesis. The clinical implications of these findings for early diagnosis, personalized treatment planning, and patient counseling will be emphasized, laying the groundwork for precision medicine approaches in ear reconstruction.

The following experts are potential speakers. Upon acceptance of this proposal, we plan to formally invite them to participate in the symposium:

1.       Tian-Yu Zhang (the proposer, Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, China, expert in functional ear reconstruction)

2.       Kay Chang (Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University, USA, specialized in Otolaryngology)

3.       Dan Jiang (St Thomas' Hospital, UK, specialized in Otolaryngology)

4.       Myung-Whan Suh (Seoul National University Hospital, Korea, specialized in Otolaryngology)

5.       Alexander Huber (University of Zurich, Switzerland, specialized in Otolaryngology)

6.       Henning Frenzel (University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, specialized in Otolaryngology)

7.       Bradley W. Kesser (University of Virginia School of Medicine, USA, specialized in Otolaryngology)

This symposium aims to foster international collaboration, integrate clinical practice with scientific innovation, and promote patient-centered, evidence-based approaches to the evolving challenges of auricular reconstruction.