Microtia in Finland: comparison of characteristics in different populations.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the characteristics of microtia in Finland and in other populations.

METHODS

Retrospective case series and patient questionnaire of 190 microtia patients referred for reconstruction of the earlobe to the Helsinki University Central Hospital during the years 1980-2005.

RESULTS

The prevalence in Finland is 4.34/10,000 and varied in other populations from 0.83 to 17.4/10,000. Microtia is seen more in males (58%), as unilateral (88.4%), right-sided (59.5%) and it is almost always associated with aural atresia or stenosis (93%). There is conductive hearing loss in 96% and sensorineural hearing loss in 8% of the affected ears. 11% of the patients had congenital heart defects, and 5% had anomalies of extremities.

CONCLUSIONS

There is variation in the prevalence and characteristics of microtia in different populations.