Autologous techniques for the reconstruction of pediatric microtia often result in suboptimal aesthetic
outcomes and morbidity at the costal cartilage donor site. We therefore sought to combine digital photogrammetry with
CAD/CAM techniques to develop collagen type I hydrogel scaffolds and their respective molds that would precisely mimic
the normal anatomy of the patient-specific external ear as well as recapitulate the complex biomechanical properties of
native auricular elastic cartilage while avoiding the morbidity of traditional autologous reconstructions.