Pronounced: tim-PAN-oh-plas-tee
Tympanoplasty is a surgery done to repair the eardrum and middle ear bones. The eardrum and bones are necessary to hear.
Types of tympanoplasty include:
The procedure can also help to:
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a tympanoplasty, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Before surgery, your doctor will check to be sure that you do not have an ear infection.
You will have several tests, including an ear exam and a hearing test. In certain cases, a CT scan is also done.
Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:
The procedure often only requires local anesthesia. Your ear and the area around it will be numb.
A small incision will be made behind the ear. Some tissue will be extracted from this area. This tissue will then be attached to the eardrum to cover the hole. Other materials may be added to hold the graft in place. If the bones of the middle ear need to be repaired, this is done as well.
A small pack may be left in position in the ear canal. The incision behind the ear will be closed with stitches.
1-2 hours
Anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure.
To insure proper healing, avoid the following:
It will take several weeks after surgery to determine if the tympanoplasty was a success. Complete recovery takes about four weeks. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.
After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
In case of an emergency, CALL 911.
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Otolaryngology
http://www.entnet.org/
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Society of Otolaryngology
http://www.entcanada.org/default.asp
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html
References:
American Academy of Otolaryngology website. Available at: http://www.entnet.org..
Last reviewed November 2009 by Elie Edmond Rebiez, MD, FACS
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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