New ears for boy created from ribs

A boy born without any ears is having a pair created from his own ribs.

Using cartilage from Kieran Sorkin's ribs, specialist surgeons from Great Ormond Street Hospital will build the ears and graft them to his head.

The eight-year-old was born deaf and did not have ears - just small lobes where his ears should be.

Thanks to several operations and a hearing aid, he has gradually been able to hear, the Evening Standard reported.

And now medics, led by lead clinician for plastic surgery Neil Bulstrode, are helping the youngster by carving cartilage from six of his ribs into the shape of ears - which will be attached during an operation next year.

"From the cartilage I will carve a framework in the shape of an ear for both sides," Mr Bulstrode told the newspaper.

"Then I will place that framework in pockets under the skin, which is sucked down with a vacuum so that the skin conforms to the contours of the ear framework."

Kieran, from Bushey, Hertfordshire, has been teased by other children and his mother Louise told the newspaper that the operation needs to be done before he starts senior school.

She added: "He wants to look like everyone else and not be asked questions."