Ear malformations are a mong the most significant topics in facial plastic surgery (FPS)\, as they involve both aesthetic reshaping and functional restoration. These malfor mations\, especially congenital cases such as microtia\, external auditory canal atresia\, and stenosis\, demand careful evaluation and individualiz ed management strategies. Importantly\, the diagnosis and treatment of ear anomalies require close multidisciplinary collaboration—spanning plasti c surgery\, otology\, audiology\, genetics\, and biomedical engineering.
In this keynote lecture\, we wil l present an overview of China’s extensive clinical and scientific work in the comprehensive management of congenital ear malformations. Drawing f rom 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 s tenosis and atresia. We will highlight the challenges and technical refine ments involved in these procedures and share outcome data and long-term fo llow-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 criter ia\, surgical techniques\, and auditory outcomes. Additionally\, we will p resent recent progress in the genetic study of ear malformations in Chines e populations\, including the identification of susceptibility genes and g enotype-phenotype correlations that may guide personalized management.
Emerging technologies such as bioe ngineered materials and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted tools are al so 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 establishin g a structured and systematic classification for congenital ear anomalies to assist clinical decision-making. Such classification systems are essent ial in aligning patient expectations with feasible outcomes\, especially i n complex cases such as congenital auditory canal atresia\, where discrepa ncies between functional demands and achievable surgical results are commo n.
Outcome Objectives:
· \; \;& nbsp\; \; \; \; \; \; To provide an in-depth overview of clinical experience and research progress in the multidisciplinary trea tment of congenital ear malformations.
· \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; To highlight challenges in the practice of auricular recons truction and functional ear surgery for external auditory canal stenosis a nd atresia.
· \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; To discuss t he indications\, techniques\, and outcomes of bone conduction hearing devi ces 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 biomateri als and AI in the diagnosis and treatment workflow.
· \; \; \; \;& nbsp\; \; \; \; To advocate for the development and adoption o f standardized classification systems for congenital ear malformations to improve clinical decision-making and patient communication.
This keynote aims to fo ster international exchange\, promote evidence-based standards\, and advan ce the field of congenital ear malformation management.
DTSTAMP:20260813T210839Z LOCATION:Facial Plastic 2 SUMMARY:Comprehensive Management of Congenital Ear Malformations: From Aest hetic Correction to Functional Reconstruction - Chen-Long Li URL:https://sciencenext.org/ifos2026/talk/YACERM/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:pretalx-ifos2026-GQBHDY@sciencenext.org DTSTART;TZID=EET:20260912T094500 DTEND;TZID=EET:20260912T100000 DESCRIPTION:Auricular reconstructio n remains one of the most complex and evolving fields in facial plastic an d reconstructive surgery. Patients with congenital or acquired ear malform ations present both aesthetic and functional challenges that demand highly individualized and multidisciplinary treatment approaches. In this 60-min ute international symposium\, we will invite and bring together leading ex perts from all over the world to share recent progress\, address ongoing c hallenges\, and explore future directions in ear reconstruction. The sympo sium will include the following topics\, each presented by one export:
Surgical Approaches and Cl inical Experience in China: This session will provide an overview of the current surgical strategies for auricular reconstruction\, includi ng autologous rib cartilage techniques\, alloplastic frameworks\, and pros thetic ear reconstruction. Drawing on extensive clinical experience from h igh-volume centers in China\, the presentation will highlight best practic es\, technical innovations\, complication management\, and long-term patie nt outcomes. Special emphasis will be placed on how localized adaptations and innovations have contributed to the global advancement of auricular re construction.
Functiona l Ear Reconstruction and Auditory Rehabilitation: Focusing on pat ients 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 strateg ies to achieve an optimal balance.
Advances and Challenges in Artificial Materials and Tissue Eng ineering: This talk will introduce recent developments in bioengi neered materials and tissue-engineered scaffolds for auricular reconstruct ion. Despite promising progress\, key challenges such as biocompatibility\ , mechanical strength\, integration with host tissue\, and long-term durab ility continue to limit clinical translation. Case examples and pilot stud ies will be used to demonstrate the potential and limitations of these eme rging technologies.
Gen etic and Developmental Biology of Auricular Malformations: The fi nal session will highlight research progress in the genetics and embryolog y of congenital ear anomalies. Presenters will discuss key genes and molec ular pathways identified in recent studies that govern ear development and morphogenesis. The clinical implications of these findings for early diag nosis\, personalized treatment planning\, and patient counseling will be e mphasized\, 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. \; \; \; \; \; \; Ti an-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\, specializ ed in Otolaryngology)
3. \; \; \; \; \; \; Dan Jiang (St Thomas' Hospital\, UK\, specialized in Otolaryngology)
4. \; \; \; \; \; \; Myung-Whan Suh (Seoul Nationa l University Hospital\, Korea\, specialized in Otolaryngology)
5. \; \; \; \; \; \; Alexander Huber (University of Zurich\, Switzerland\, specialized in Ot olaryngology)
6. \; \;& nbsp\; \; \; \; Henning Frenzel (University Hospital Schleswig -Holstein\, Germany\, specialized in Otolaryngology)
7. \; \; \; \; \; \; Bradley W. Kesser (University of Virginia School of Medicine\, USA\, specialized in Otolaryngology)
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< p style="margin-left: 0px!important\;">This symposium aims to foster inter national collaboration\, integrate clinical practice with scientific innov ation\, and promote patient-centered\, evidence-based approaches to the ev olving challenges of auricular reconstruction. DTSTAMP:20260813T210839Z LOCATION:Facial Plastic 2 SUMMARY:Global Perspectives on Auricular Reconstruction: Surgical Strategie s\, Functional Outcomes\, and Emerging Technologies - Chen-Long Li URL:https://sciencenext.org/ifos2026/talk/GQBHDY/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR