Ear and audiology: microtia reconstruction: practice question

A ENT question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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ENT · Ear and audiology: microtia reconstruction

Sample item

A 7-year-old boy has unilateral grade III microtia with canal atresia and a normal contralateral ear. What is a recognised approach to the auricle?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Staged reconstruction using autologous costal cartilage

Auricular reconstruction usually uses rib cartilage after about 6 to 8 years, when the chest cartilage is adequate and the opposite ear has reached near adult size. Hearing is addressed separately by a bone conduction device or atresia surgery in selected cases. Bilateral cases need early amplification.

Option by option

  • A. Immediate bilateral canal drilling at birth

    Canal drilling at birth is not standard and risks facial nerve injury.

  • B. Observation only until age 18

    Waiting until 18 is not necessary.

  • C. Tympanoplasty type I

    Type I tympanoplasty repairs a perforation, not atresia.

  • D. Staged reconstruction using autologous costal cartilage (correct)

    Correct. Costal cartilage staged reconstruction is the standard.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, Staged reconstruction using autologous costal cartilage. Auricular reconstruction usually uses rib cartilage after about 6 to 8 years, when the chest cartilage is adequate and the opposite ear has reached near adult size.

Why is "Immediate bilateral canal drilling at birth" not the answer?

Canal drilling at birth is not standard and risks facial nerve injury.

Why is "Observation only until age 18" not the answer?

Waiting until 18 is not necessary.

Why is "Tympanoplasty type I" not the answer?

Type I tympanoplasty repairs a perforation, not atresia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: microtia reconstruction in ENT. Hearing is addressed separately by a bone conduction device or atresia surgery in selected cases. Bilateral cases need early amplification.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Ear and audiology: microtia reconstruction?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.