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Science & Technology

Boy to have ears created from his own ribs

By T.K. Randall
August 6, 2013 · Comment icon 17 comments

Image Credit: CC 1.0 Shizhao
A boy born without any ears is having some created for him using cartilage from his own ribs.
Kieran Sorkin suffers from a rare condition that means that his ears did not develop properly. In a remarkable operation, surgeons from Great Ormond Street Hospital are to attempt a pioneering new method to build Kieran new ears using material from his own ribs.

"From the cartilage I will carve a framework in the shape of an ear for both sides," said clinician Neil Bulstrode. "Then I will place that framework in pockets under the skin, which is sucked down with a vacuum so that the skin conforms to the contours of the ear framework."
Kieran, from Bushey, Hertfordshire, has been teased by other children and his mother Louise said the operation needs to be done before he starts senior school.


Source: Telegraph | Comments (17)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #8 Posted by Michelle 11 years ago
If he was born deaf how can they suddenly make him able to hear? They won't make him hear...he just wants to look normal. And maybe wear sunglasses...okay that was bad of me. lol
Comment icon #9 Posted by R4z3rsPar4d0x 11 years ago
They won't make him hear...he just wants to look normal. And maybe wear sunglasses...okay that was bad of me. lol Oh so its just to look aesthetically pleasing, or if you want to go with so that he'll fit in with the other kids.
Comment icon #10 Posted by Purifier 11 years ago
I thought it mentioned something in the article that he could already hear. Or he had a hearing aid that was able to give him some hearing. Yep, sayz it right here......... The eight year-old has also undergone several operations and has gradually regained his hearing with the use of a hearing aid.
Comment icon #11 Posted by Michelle 11 years ago
Oh so its just to look aesthetically pleasing, or if you want to go with so that he'll fit in with the other kids. That's what he said. If you have a problem with it take it up with him or his mom. I thought it mentioned something in the article that he could already hear. Or he had a hearing aid that was able to give him some hearing. Yep, sayz it right here......... My bad...I skimmed.
Comment icon #12 Posted by Likely Guy 11 years ago
If he has some form of hearing, building him some ears will not just be cosmetic. Real ears will give him almost stereo hearing (liken it to not just 'seeing', but having 'depth perception'). 'Kunstkopf', or 'dummy head' recording: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dummy_head_recording Ears are not just cosmetic.
Comment icon #13 Posted by Likely Guy 11 years ago
For my point, this will help as well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinna_(anatomy) Each ridge and fold in the human ear gives us directionality, or a third dimension in the auditory world. If young Kieran has any auditory ability and this works, I would love to see the look on his face!
Comment icon #14 Posted by puckmomma 11 years ago
Good Read!
Comment icon #15 Posted by Junior Chubb 11 years ago
Are they going to use his spare rib?
Comment icon #16 Posted by WoIverine 11 years ago
Wow, really? What ever happened to growing ears on mice?
Comment icon #17 Posted by brlesq1 11 years ago
I think it's great. More power to this kid!


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