- Primary CareThere are usually three specialists involved in obtaining a bone-conduction hearing aid. The primary care doctor usually refers the child to an ear, nose, and throat specialist. A hearing test is performed by an audiologist who typically dispenses and tests the hearing aid.
- GynecologyDr. Bonilla has been one of the pioneer surgeons using the gold contact laser with excellent success. It has dramatically decreased blood loss during microtia surgery to approximately one teaspon or 5 cc. Because it is a contact laser, the precision cut occurs only where the laser touches the skin and soft tissue. Because of the success of Dr. Bonilla's laser surgeries, the laser is now used in neurosurgery, gynecology, urology, ENT, gastroenterology and plastic surgery.
- Pregnancy
- Gastroenterology
- Urology
- UltrasoundAlthough many anatomic abnormalities may be identified on the ultrasound, it was more difficult to fully evaluate the external ear. The reason was that technicians were concentrating more on organs such as the heart and kidneys, rather than the ears. Luckily, the imaging technology has vastly improved so that organs such as the ears can be seen with much more clarity.
- Computed TomographyThe second option is the ear canal surgery. There will have to be various anatomic tests such as CT scans to evaluate the anatomy of the outer, middle and inner ear. If the child is a candidate for the ear canal surgery, then a full explanation of the risks (such as damage to the facial nerve) and benefits are crucial before proceeding.
- General Surgery
- Wound Care
- Ear SurgeryIt is very important to start the external ear reconstructions BEFORE the middle ear surgery. Once an attempt is made to open the canal prior to the external ear reconstruction, the elasticity of the “virgin” skin as well as the circulation is compromised.
- Neurosurgery
- OtolaryngologyMicrotia - Congenital Ear Institute, led by Dr. Bonilla, is the largest exclusive pediatric microtia center in North America. Dr. Bonilla has been recognized as the leading pediatric microtia surgeon, performing thousands of surgeries for children all over the world. His affiliations include: American Medical Association | American Academy of Otolaryngology
- Reconstructive SurgeryReconstructive surgery. The purpose of the surgeries are to correct the congenital ear malformation as well as the hearing loss that is associated with moderate to severe conductive hearing loss.
- Plastic SurgeryDr. Bodilla is the only plastic surgeon in the world to practice pediatric microtia plastic surgery exclusively. Due to his expertise, patients worldwide have traveled to San Antonio to seek professional surgical care from our plastic surgeon.
- OtoplastyMICROTIA SURGERY IS NOT COSMETIC SURGERY. It is very common for an insurance company to assume that an ear deformity is nothing more than a protruding ear, otherwise known as a "lop-ear deformity" as shown in this picture. A patient with protruding ears has normal hearing and the concern is usually based on the appearance. Many feel that the surgery to correct a lop-ear deformity should be covered by insurance since it can cause psychological issues, such as teasing in school, etc.... Nevertheless, insurance companies in general will not cover the "Otoplasty" procedure to correct this lop-ear deformity.
- Cosmetic Surgery