Ear defects can be the result of trauma, congenital hypoplasia (microtia which results from incomplete embryonic development) and cancer ablation. Some patients simply have prominent ears they want to address. Ear reconstruction includes otoplasty (treatment of prominent ears), microtia repair (addressing missing or malformed ears) and ear defects (due to cancer surgery or trauma). With microtia, a new ear is created from the patient’s own tissue and cartilage or an artificial ear is created. For ear defects and otoplasty, the surgeon removes cartilage and skin and reshapes the ear. Sutures hold the ear into position during the healing process.