Microtia is a congenital condition in which there in poor development of ears. Microtia correction involves staged reconstruction of the ear using autogenous costal cartilage.  Shown is a case of microtia with partially developed ear and a closed (stenotic) external ear canal producing a conductive hearing loss. These cases requires  multiple stages of surgery  where in costal cartilage is harvested  and contoured to form the external framework and positioning  is done in the first stage followed  and ear lifting  and keyhole surgeries at a subsequent stages.

The 92nd Annual Conference of the International Association of Dental Research (IADR) was held in Cape Town, South Africa. This is the highest world forum on dental research where globally renowned researchers are invited to share their expertise. Craniofacial Surgeon Dr. S.M. Balaji was invited to this meet to present his research works in the management of facial deformities. He presented his extensive works in the treatment of Hypertelorism highlighting the efficacy of his modified surgical technique for improved results & good long-term stability.

The world's highest body in dental research is the International Association of Dental Research (IADR) with head quarters in USA. The association has about 12,000 members worldwide. The 92nd Annual Congress of this scientific body was held during June 25th -- 28th 2014 at Cape Town, South Africa. To increase the quality of dental research and research manuscript across the globe, the IADR had organized a symposium to deliberate and identify possible solutions. 
In this symposium, Prof. S. M. Balaji, as Editor-in-Chief, Annals of Maxillofacial Surgery & Executive Editor, Indian Journal of Dental Research was invited to represent the Asian region in this one of its kind scholarly program. The Symposium was chaired by Prof. Kenneth A. Eaton, United Kingdom, Chairman of the British Dental Editor's Forum. The other prominent faculty was Prof. William Giannobile, USA, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Dental Research.