I believe this question concerns whether the ear canal will close up again after surgery. Before answering, we need to understand that every child’s condition is unique. There are numerous factors that can lead to recurrent atresia. Children with hyperplastic skin tissue are more prone to tissue overgrowth, raising the risk of ear canal reclosure. The same applies to kids with weak immunity who frequently suffer from colds and fevers. Failure to use prescribed medical supplies and medications as required is another contributing factor. Most notably, this is a rare disease. Many physicians encounter very few such cases throughout their careers. They may adopt conventional treatment plans that end up harming these specific patients. For instance, when the ear canal starts narrowing, we recommend supportive ear plugs combined with medication. These specialized plugs are not universally available worldwide. Some parents resort to noise-isolating ear plugs instead, which drastically reduces the therapeutic effect. This is precisely why we traveled across the globe.

The operation duration varies by age. It takes four and a half hours for a six-year-old child. We once performed surgery on a 17-year-old patient, which lasted six hours. Harder bone structure leads to longer surgery time, while younger children require shorter operating hours.

Few otologists encounter such patients, making the surgery extremely challenging. Surgeons must have thorough mastery of anatomical structures, and the operation can only be carried out with the assistance of anesthesiologists and various monitoring devices. We have completed over 600 such surgeries. I firmly believe that consistent operators performing standardized procedures at fixed positions guarantees surgical outcomes. Postoperative rehabilitation is also a vital part of the treatment. Hence, we maintain a consulting team accessible to patients at all times.

First, we need to clarify the definition of surgical failure. The goal of the surgery is to restore hearing in the affected ear, and failure occurs if hearing cannot be recovered. The most common cause is dampness, infection and discharge in the newly formed ear canal after surgery. Therefore, keeping the canal dry is the core of postoperative recovery. Patients are advised to avoid swimming for a period after surgery. When bathing, apply petroleum jelly to the ear opening to block water ingress with its hydrophobic property. We provide patients with a first-aid kit containing all necessary medicines, supplies and instruments for up to one year post-operation. Local doctors are invited to observe and assist during surgeries to handle potential postoperative complications, ensuring stable recovery within three years. The ear canal will stay stable after this period. Adolescent patients receive special care. Regular follow-ups are scheduled if the recovery period overlaps with puberty, as they require targeted professional guidance due to physical changes.

This is why we traveled halfway across the globe to China. We found that 90% of patients requiring reconstructive surgery do not reside locally. Local physicians lack knowledge of patients' preoperative conditions and surgical procedures, which limits their treatment options. Therefore, we invite Chinese doctors or practitioners from the patients' hometowns to participate in each operation. In-depth communication ensures reliable surgical outcomes and effective postoperative recovery.