creating the ear framework for total auricular reconstruction is technically challenging procedure . for novice surgeons so , a new technique is introduced to practice creating ear framework with silicon impression material . by this to start with we will require following materials and armamentarium : 
 impression compound [ figure 1]silicon impression material5/0 stainless steel sutures ( ear set , steelex , b / braun ) [ figure 2]wood carving instruments [ figure 3]thin plastic sheet - to prepare templaterapid cure acrylic materialmodeling waxblue and red markerglass slab 
  impression compound [ figure 1 ] silicon impression material 5/0 stainless steel sutures ( ear set , steelex , b / braun ) [ figure 2 ] wood carving instruments [ figure 3 ] thin plastic sheet - to prepare template rapid cure acrylic material impression compound cake 5/0 stainless steel sutures(ear set , steelex , b / braun ) wood carving instruments with the help of impression compound , model of costal cartilage harvested for actual surgery is prepared . this model is positive replica of sixth , seventh and eighth costal cartilage [ figure 4 ] . then a mould is prepared with rapid cure acrylic , which is negative replica of this model , on a glass slab [ figure 5 ] . silicon impression material is used to take the impression using the mould , which yields positive replica of sixth , seventh and eighth costal cartilage [ figure 6 ] . 3-d model of harvested costal cartilage prepared from impression compound cake mould prepared with rapid cure acrylic for making silicon cartilage model silicon model of harvested costal cartilage with the help of thin plastic sheet , surgical template is prepared keeping in mind the design of auricular cartilage . in case of unilateral microtia , a template is made following opposite ear 's anatomy [ figure 7 ] . this is done with placing a surgical template[15 ] on sixth and seventh rib cartilage in such a way that whole of helical rim is placed on the cartilage except crus helicis [ figure 8 ] . then scaphoid fossa , fossa triangularis and concha are carved in the base frame with the help of wood carving instruments [ figure 9 ] . helical rim and antihelix portion are sculpted from eighth costal cartilage [ figure 10 ] . helical rim and antihelix are now fixed to base frame with the help of stainless steel sutures in a way that tags end in the posterior portion of the framework . now the tragus portion is carved from the remaining pieces of sixth and seventh cartilage and fixed to base frame . after this all the edges of framework should be rounded so that final framework should not look boxy type and all suture tags submerged in framework to prevent extrusion . with this a 3d ear cartilage framework is ready for placement [ figure 11 ] . placement of surgical template on sixth and seventh costal cartilage in such a way that whole helical rim is located on base frame marked area 's for scaphoid fossa , fossa triangularis and concha- to be carved base frame with carved scaphoid fossa , fossa triangularis and concha and helical rim and antihelix completed 3-dimensional model of ear cartilage with the help of impression compound , model of costal cartilage harvested for actual surgery is prepared . this model is positive replica of sixth , seventh and eighth costal cartilage [ figure 4 ] . then a mould is prepared with rapid cure acrylic , which is negative replica of this model , on a glass slab [ figure 5 ] . silicon impression material is used to take the impression using the mould , which yields positive replica of sixth , seventh and eighth costal cartilage [ figure 6 ] . 3-d model of harvested costal cartilage prepared from impression compound cake mould prepared with rapid cure acrylic for making silicon cartilage model silicon model of harvested costal cartilage with the help of thin plastic sheet , surgical template is prepared keeping in mind the design of auricular cartilage . in case of unilateral microtia , this is done with placing a surgical template[15 ] on sixth and seventh rib cartilage in such a way that whole of helical rim is placed on the cartilage except crus helicis [ figure 8 ] . then scaphoid fossa , fossa triangularis and concha are carved in the base frame with the help of wood carving instruments [ figure 9 ] . helical rim and antihelix portion are sculpted from eighth costal cartilage [ figure 10 ] . helical rim and antihelix are now fixed to base frame with the help of stainless steel sutures in a way that tags end in the posterior portion of the framework . now the tragus portion is carved from the remaining pieces of sixth and seventh cartilage and fixed to base frame . after this all the edges of framework should be rounded so that final framework should not look placement of surgical template on sixth and seventh costal cartilage in such a way that whole helical rim is located on base frame marked area 's for scaphoid fossa , fossa triangularis and concha- to be carved base frame with carved scaphoid fossa , fossa triangularis and concha and helical rim and antihelix completed 3-dimensional model of ear cartilage the technique was successful in simulating the ear framework , and the consistency of the silicon material with relatively blunt carving instruments was almost similar to real costal cartilage with sharp instruments . hence with this technique one can access the difficulties that may be encountered in real surgery and may reduce surgical time . a total ear reconstruction with autogenous tissues is one of the greatest technical challenges to a reconstructive surgeon . major part of difficulty in surgery is creating a 3d cartilage framework out of costal cartilage . this difficulty lies in the fact that costal cartilage structure is different in each individual . so , novice surgeons might find it difficult and time consuming to locate future parts of 3d ear in costal cartilage . but due to less availability of cadavers , it is practically difficult for surgeon to practice on it . but the technique had disadvantage that consistency and configuration of potatoes and carrots was far different from costal cartilage . to sculpt the framework in one piece from resin block akira yamada et al suggested technique for preparing silicone rib model by taking impression of harvested costal cartilage and pouring with silicon impression material and fabricating framework with exactly same instruments that were used for real surgery . but considering these challenges , we herewith present a technique which will be helpful for teaching novice surgeons , and large number of silicone models can be made from a single mould which can be helpful in teaching in large number like in training workshops . practicing with less sharp instruments on silicon model will simulate working with surgical instruments on costal cartilage . we believe that our method will help novice surgeons to create framework that will simulate real surgery in a cost - effective way . by using this novel technique , novice surgeons can practice creating ear framework and improvise their results in the actual surgery .