Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesUsesSurgical RisksPreparationSurgical ProcedureRecovery
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Uses
Surgical Risks
Preparation
Surgical Procedure
Recovery
Tympanoplastyis the surgery used to repair aruptured eardrumeither on its own or as part of a larger operation involving themiddle ear. When the surgery involves just the eardrum, it is calledmyringoplasty.
Tympanoplasty is an inpatient procedure that is commonly performed undergeneral anesthesiaand sometimeslocal anesthesia. It takes two hours or more to perform depending on the extent of damage to the eardrum (tympanum) and/or the bones of the middle ear (ossicles).
This article describes what is involved in tympanoplasty, including the side effects, risks, and what to expect before, during, and after surgery.
Types of Tympanoplasty
Tympanoplasty is a surgery used in adults and children to treat a perforated eardrum and/or to reconstruct or repair the bones of the middle ear.
Depending on the condition being treated, the surgery may be approached through the ear canal or through an incision behind the neck.
Purpose of Tympanoplasty
Tympanoplasty is indicated for the repair of ear injuries or to correct problems in the middle ear that impede hearing.
The indications for tympanoplasty include:
Myringoplasty is typically performed when a perforated eardrum hasn’t healed on its after more than three months.
Causes of Perforated Eardrum
As with any surgery, there is a risk associated with tympanoplasty, including therisks of general anesthesia.
Possible risks of tympanoplasty include:
Your surgeon will weigh the potential risks and benefits with you so that you can make an informed choice.
How to Prepare
If you’re having a tympanoplasty, be sure to follow your surgeon’s instructions to avoid anything that might delay your surgery or place your health at risk. This includes any medications or supplements you take that may be inappropriate for surgery.
Location
Tympanoplasty is performed in a hospital since general anesthesia is typically involved,
What to Wear
It’s best to wear clothing that is loose, comfortable, and easy to remove. Zipped or button-up tops will help you avoid brushing against your ear as it heals. You’ll be given a hospital gown to wear during your procedure.
Don’t wear any jewelry to your operation, especially earrings. Leave them at home.
Food and Drink
Food and drink will need to be restricted before surgery. Adults are generally advised to avoid all food and drink starting at midnight on the eve of surgery. This rule also applies to children over one year of age.
Clear liquids may be consumed up to two hours before surgery.
Why You Can’t Eat or Drink Before Surgery
What to Bring
While tympanoplasty is usually an inpatient procedure, some people may be advised to stay overnight for observation. If so, bring only what you need, such as a toothbrush, change of clothes, slip-on shoes, and chronic medications.
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
If you’re anxious about your upcoming surgery, knowing what to expect can help ease your nerves.
Before the Surgery
Once you are OKed for surgery, an intravenous (IV) drip will be placed in a vein in your arm to deliver fluids, medications, and anesthesia. Adhesive probes will be placed on and around your chest to monitor your heart rate on anelectrocardiogram (ECG)machine.
Finally, a hinged device called apulse oximeterwill be placed on your finger to monitor your blood oxygen levels.
During the Surgery
Depending on the condition being treated, different surgical techniques may be used. This describes the typical approach for myringoplasty:
After the eardrum is gently lifted, the surgeon will patch the hole with the graft. Dissolvable packing is then placed to keep the graft secure until it is amply healed.A temporarysurgical drainmay be inserted if an incision behind the ear was used.
From start to finish, myringoplasty takes an average of two hours to complete.
If the ossicles are damaged or need repair, additional procedures may be needed. In some cases, a prosthetic device can be inserted to replace or support them.
After the Surgery
Unless there are complications, you should be released to go home after spending one night of observation in the hospital following your procedure. Sometimes you may even be discharged and allowed to go home on the same day as the surgery.
Someone will need to drive you home, whether you go home the same day or the next day since it takes several hours for theanesthesiato fully wear off before it is safe to resume driving.
Once you’re cleared to go home, you’ll be given discharge instructions. It’s crucial to follow your surgeon’s advice and take it slow, even if you’re feeling well. Doing too much, too fast, can hinder your body’s ability to heal, prolonging the recovery process.
Strenuous exercise, straining, and heavy lifting (anything over 20 pounds) should be avoided for at least two weeks.
To reduce swelling, elevate the head of your bed when you sleep. It can also take some time for hearing to improve after a tympanoplasty, so be patient with your results in the early days of healing.
After a tympanoplasty, you should plan to take one to two weeks off from school or work for recovery.
Your healthcare provider will schedule you for a follow-up visit about a week after the procedure to check for signs of infection and remove your stitches. If you’re healing well, you’ll be cleared to get back to your usual activities.
Healing
Some drainage is normal in the first three to five days after a tympanoplasty. A sterile cotton ball can be used to help keep the area dry. Your healthcare provider will provide ear drops for use following surgery.
Swimming and flying in an airplane are prohibited immediately after tympanoplasty until your healthcare provider says otherwise. Do your best to keep incisions dry as they heal.
Persistent vomiting and difficulty standing or walking should be reported immediately to your surgeon’s office.
Long-Term Care
It can take two to three months after tympanoplasty before a full recovery is achieved. During this period, your hearing will improve as the packing material fully dissolves over time.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Akyigit A, Sakallioglu O, Karlidag T.Endoscopic tympanoplasty.J Otol.2017 Jun;12(2):62–7. doi:10.1016/j.joto.2017.04.004Sarkar S.A review on the history of tympanoplasty.Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2013 Dec;65(Suppl 3):455–60. doi:10.1007/s12070-012-0534-5Neudert M, Zahnert T.Tympanoplasty – news and new perspectives.GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2017;16:Doc07. doi:10.3205/cto000146Johns Hopkins Medicine.Information on tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy.National Health Service (UK).Perforated eardrum.Additional ReadingUMPC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburg.Tympanoplasty/Paper Patch Myringoplasty.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Akyigit A, Sakallioglu O, Karlidag T.Endoscopic tympanoplasty.J Otol.2017 Jun;12(2):62–7. doi:10.1016/j.joto.2017.04.004Sarkar S.A review on the history of tympanoplasty.Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2013 Dec;65(Suppl 3):455–60. doi:10.1007/s12070-012-0534-5Neudert M, Zahnert T.Tympanoplasty – news and new perspectives.GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2017;16:Doc07. doi:10.3205/cto000146Johns Hopkins Medicine.Information on tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy.National Health Service (UK).Perforated eardrum.Additional ReadingUMPC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburg.Tympanoplasty/Paper Patch Myringoplasty.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Akyigit A, Sakallioglu O, Karlidag T.Endoscopic tympanoplasty.J Otol.2017 Jun;12(2):62–7. doi:10.1016/j.joto.2017.04.004Sarkar S.A review on the history of tympanoplasty.Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2013 Dec;65(Suppl 3):455–60. doi:10.1007/s12070-012-0534-5Neudert M, Zahnert T.Tympanoplasty – news and new perspectives.GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2017;16:Doc07. doi:10.3205/cto000146Johns Hopkins Medicine.Information on tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy.National Health Service (UK).Perforated eardrum.
Akyigit A, Sakallioglu O, Karlidag T.Endoscopic tympanoplasty.J Otol.2017 Jun;12(2):62–7. doi:10.1016/j.joto.2017.04.004
Sarkar S.A review on the history of tympanoplasty.Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2013 Dec;65(Suppl 3):455–60. doi:10.1007/s12070-012-0534-5
Neudert M, Zahnert T.Tympanoplasty – news and new perspectives.GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2017;16:Doc07. doi:10.3205/cto000146
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Information on tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy.
National Health Service (UK).Perforated eardrum.
UMPC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburg.Tympanoplasty/Paper Patch Myringoplasty.
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