Sir: Traditional ear dressings following total, partial ear, or microtia reconstruction have included the use of a Glasscock ear dressing (Otomed, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.)1 among the many others described.2–5 The main aim of all these alternatives is to provide a pressure-free dressing, thereby avoiding any risk of pressure necrosis to the skin flaps during the critical first few days after reconstruction. During one of our biannual Medical Aid for Children of Latin America—a 501(C)3 not-for-profit corporation—ear mission trip, medical supplies became limited and our Glasscock ear dressings were depleted. In the face of this lapse in our inventory, we discovered a novel use for an anesthesia airway mask, the “Original” King Mask, Inflatable Face Mask (King Systems Corp., Noblesville, Ind.). This was routinely available and being used in various sizes by our anesthesia colleagues to mask patients before induction of anesthesia for both pediatric and adult populations being served. Figures 1 and 2 demonstrate the use of the airway mask as a protective ear dressing. The mask provides a supple air-filled cushion around a transparent crown that allows for a pressure-free dressing around the construct. The cushion is connected to a one-way valve, which can be inflated/deflated to adjust the degree of padding, profile of the construct, and patient comfort. Visualization of the construct is facilitated by the transparent crown and the opening for the connector. The grooving in the cushion allows for easy application of an elastic wrap bandage applied lightly circumferentially around the head to hold the airway mask in the correct location. This can be easily unwrapped and rewrapped for closer examination of the construct. The airway mask comes in various sizes and thus can be used for both pediatric and adult patients. We looked at the cost difference of the two methods of ear dressing and found that the Glasscock ear dressing cost $12.67 per dressing compared with $1.80 for the airway mask.Fig. 1.: Frontal view of ear dressing following total ear reconstruction consisting of an airway mask secured in position with elastic bandages.Fig. 2.: Lateral view of ear dressing following total ear reconstruction consisting of an airway mask secured in position with elastic bandages.In summary, we demonstrate the novel use of an anesthesia airway mask to provide an alternative protective ear dressing that can provide the same function as a traditional ear dressing that is easy to use and cost effective. Amir H. Dorafshar, M.B.Ch.B. Christian Soneru, M.D. Russell Reid, M.D., Ph.D. David H. Song, M.D. Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, Ill. DISCLOSURE The authors have no financial interests to disclose and there were no external sources of funding provided for this project.