Is there anything medicine can’t do?
Kieran Sorkin was born without ears.
The nine-year-old British boy has a rare condition known as bilateral microtia atresia, which resulted in his birth without fully-formed hearing canals or ears.
According to his mum, Louise, Kieran has undergone three operations and multiple “investigations” in his short life, with the ultimate goal of allowing him to hear.
Finally, surgeons at Great Ormond Street hospital in London provided a promising solution.
A tricky little thing called science enabled some clever people to build Kieran some ears, using material from his own RIBS.
In August last year, a surgical team lead by Dr Neal Brustrode removed cartilage from Kieran’s ribs, moulded them into new ears, and attached them to his head.
It was only recently that the Sorkin family found out the operation was a success.
“Here we go, putting my waterproof mascara to the test, because now is the time the doctors are taking Kieran’s head cast off. To see Kieran’s new ears properly. Not the baby I gave birth to 9 years ago but still looking amazing handsome.” Louise Sorkin wrote on Facebook prior to the big reveal.
In the ultimate compliment, Kieran’s new ears are modelled after those belonging to his adoring mum.
“Before the operations I thought I might get elephant ears or mouse ears, but I’ve got my mum’s ears. It’s weird but I feel great,” Kieran told The Independent.
He also said he is over-the-moon about being able to wear sunglasses for the first time.
“Mr Bulstrode is the best surgeon as he made my wishes come true – I’ve got ears and can wear sunglasses.”
We’re excited for you too, Kieran.
Have you ever witnessed a medical marvel? Tell us about it.
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Top Comments
I..is this true?!
I'v got spacial Baha hearing aids cause I don't have ear canals and only been able to have cosmetic ears to look somewhat normal
Oh god, this .... I cant believe it, the thought of actually getting to hear stuff as it really sounds...people...songs....I think I might cry
I need to see if I'm able to have this done, The thought of this wasnt even even thought of when i was yonger
"A tricky little thing called science enabled some clever people to build Kieran some ears, using material from his own RIBS."
And a tricky little thing called......Genesis 2 King James Version (KJV)
21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
What?
Mmmm nah, I'm pretty sure it was the science thing that did this one
If you lot had your way the science that enabled this to happen (this actual, documented, proven miracle) would never have been allowed... it would have been ''tinkering with what God hath wrought'' or similar. No stem cell research, nothing like that. So, so glad that the brave souls never stopped questioning and pointing out the huge, giant gaping holes and did their own thing. These kinds of achievements are the result. Prayer did not achieve this. Science did. People who actually got out there and did, rather than spouting iron-age superstition. Love science. Science for the win.
"If you lot"? Doesn't sound very charitable. I was merely making an observation that, perhaps, another scientist had performed a similar "amazing" feat at a time when things were not as well understood and were categorised as, how did you put it, a "proven miracle"