Boy Undergoes ‘Miracle Surgery’ To Replace Missing Ears
Published: March 19, 2005
He was born without any ears. Now a three-year old Dittmer, Missouri boy has both ears, thanks what his parents are calling a “miracle surgery.”
His parents say Nicholas Kossman is a happy typical three-year old, except for his ears. Now, following a unique surgery he has two ears for the first time in his young life. He also has limited hearing.
“He pretty much hears everything but it’s like having fingers in your ears. So he’s not picking up the soft sounds,” says Gina Kossman, Nicholas’ mother.
Up until two months ago, Nicholas had no ears; only ear lobes. The ailment is called microcia. He used to wear a band around his head to hold his hearing aids. Now the hearing aids will fit behind his new ears.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Carstens is the first doctor in this region to perform the surgeries that led to the new ears, which are made with synthetic implants.
Dr. Carstens says, “Under the scalp is a delicate system of blood vessels. We opened up the scalp, fish it out and drop it down like a drape. Then we wrapped it around an implant and put on a skin graft.”
The procedures were performed at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.
On Thursday, facing a crowd of reporters, Nicholas was all smiles. He even allowed journalists to touch one of his new ears. His doctors and parents said he did not feel any pain.
Gina and Richard Kossman say they are glad the surgery has been done before Nicholas goes to school. “We know how mean kids can be and we want him to have a normal life,” said Gina.
And the Kossman’s credited the controversial “First Steps” program with helping them through the first two years of Nick’s life.
The program has been in the spotlight recently as part of Governor Matt Blunt’s proposed budget. Funding for “First Steps” has been eliminated. But, the governor says he still wants to find a way to pay for the program.
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