Crafting an ear from scratch

During Paul O’Grady’s Little Heroes, we’re shining a spotlight on the wonderful staff across the hospital who help children get better and fulfil their potential. Mr Neil Bulstrode, a Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, featured in Episode 1 as one of the team who looked after Mackenzie.

Mr Bulstrode, working as a Consultant at GOSH since April 2006, treats a lot of children with microtia, a condition in which one side of the face does not develop at the same rate, resulting in one ear being smaller than the other. In this video he explains how he builds a new ear for his patients, using their own cartilage.

"What is so rewarding is seeing how the confidence of these children changes," says Mr Bulstrode in the film. "I think these children will be able to follow their dreams," says Mr Bulstrode. "To achieve what they want to. That's the real value-add."