The aim of this paper is to report my experience of 352 ear reconstructions to correct microtia with Brent's technique (n = 184) and Nagata's technique (n = 144). The remaining 24 were atypical presentations reconstructed in a one-stage procedure. Brent's technique is a safe, step-by-step, four-stage reconstruction and Nagata's technique involves only two stages. Nagata's innovations include transposing the lobule of the auricle during the first stage, carving a framework that includes the tragus, and constructing the posterior wall of the concha during the second stage. Cases of typical microtia have been selected to illustrate the advantages and pitfalls of both techniques.