Advantages of undergoing surgery to seal a gap in the eardrum involve stopping water from entering the middle ear (the area behind the eardrum). This lowers the risk of infection and halts the ear from expelling fluid. This procedure is often included in a mastoidectomy. Fixing the eardrum by itself typically does not significantly enhance hearing.
The procedure to fix a tear in the eardrum is known as a myringoplasty. In the UK, the majority of these surgeries are conducted under general anesthesia. However, some doctors choose to perform them with just local anesthesia. An incision is made either behind the ear or over the ear’s opening. In some cases, the operation might be carried out through the ear canal, aided by an endoscope or microscope.
At times, your doctor might need to enlarge the ear canal with a drill to access the tear for repair. The material used to cover the tear (referred to as a graft) is usually harvested from under the skin or the lining and cartilage in front of the ear canal. Certain doctors opt for synthetic eardrum grafts. This graft is then positioned against the eardrum.
After the surgery, a dressing is applied to the ear canal. This can be a removable device or absorbent sponge dressings. You might also have a dressing on your ear and a bandage on your head for a few hours.
Following the procedure, you’ll be moved to the recuperation zone. Once your anesthesia begins to fade, you’ll be returned to the ward or day-case unit.
A lot of hospitals offer myringoplasty as an outpatient procedure. You’ll be discharged once the surgical team is confident you’ve fully recovered from the anesthesia. Should there be any complications after the surgery, you might have to remain in the hospital for an extended period.
Recuperation period typically lasts for just a couple of days. The precise duration off from work differs from one person to another, but generally, you might require anywhere from one to two weeks to fully recover.
For minor punctures, the procedure is successful about 90% of the time. However, it’s not as effective for bigger punctures. Additionally, personal habits like smoking can impact how successful the procedure is.
You might experience some discomfort in your ear, but taking pain relievers can alleviate this. It’s common to have a bandage on your head following this procedure, and you’ll likely be sent home once it’s taken off. The stitches will be taken out at your doctor’s office one to two weeks after the surgery.
There might be a little bit of fluid coming out of your ear, which is usually due to the antiseptic solutions in the ear bandages. Occasionally, some of the ear bandages might come off. There’s no need to panic if this occurs. It’s a good idea to cut off the dangling part of the bandages with scissors and leave the rest intact.
If the bandages in your ear canal aren’t meant to dissolve, they’ll be taken out after two to three weeks by your surgeon at the hospital. It’s important to keep your ear dry and avoid blowing your nose too forcefully. You can place a cotton ball dipped in Vaseline in your outer ear while showering or washing your hair.
If your ear starts to hurt more or becomes swollen, it’s best to reach out to the ear, nose, and throat department at your local hospital or your family doctor for guidance.
Our surgical team will inform you regarding any subsequent check-up sessions you might require.
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