Today was our first day in the operating room together. We had a slow start. Our first case was a difficult intubation which means that we had a bit of a challenge securing the airway. I guess my skills are still pretty sharp. I got the breathing tube in after the nurse said she couldn’t see anything. The case took about 5 1/2 hours.
First cartilage is removed from the floating ribs that you can feel on either side of your lower chest. It is fashioned into the shape of an ear and inserted under the skin. (Photo of cartilage)
Before and after 1st case 38 year old female. She is mostly deaf. No inner ear apparatus. Nice result. The ear will be lifted from the skull next year.
Our second patient was anxious and in tears as he waited for us. It was easy to sedate him a bit before surgery but his mom was crying too. It’s got to be so difficult to face this surgery and be unable to communicate much with us even with translation.
The operation takes surgical skill and art as well as good anesthesia. We started our day at 7:30 and ended about 12 hours later. Tomorrow should be the same. One of the surgeons brings music which was a wonderful classical mix for the first case and then more upbeat rock and country for the second case. It was a really good day!
Our team went to a good local taco place for dinner. Now we are getting ready for tomorrow.
Looking forward to another day of changing a life with our skills.
The Adventures of Anne 
Thank you for sharing your adventure! Great work.
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