3. Impressions and Casting

Fabrication of the microtia surgical positioner began by marking the ideal height, location, and inclination of the reconstructed ear on the patient’s defect site with an oil-based marker. An impression, or an exact reverse copy, of the patient’s auricular defect site was made with irreversible hydrocolloid and backed with fast set plaster. Dental stone was poured into the impression to create the cast, or exact duplicate, of the auricular defect with the orientation markings from the skin transferred to the cast. An impression and cast were also made of the contralateral ear that was used as a guide for sculpting of the positioner.