Sometimes you may have felt like your ear was suddenly kicked, or you may have experienced severe pain in your ear and a loss of hearing. This could be due to damage to the eardrum, which could be due to a hole in it. Most of the time, these things heal on their own, but sometimes they require the help of a minor surgery. That's what we're going to talk about very simply today.
What is Myringoplasty?
Simply put, Myringoplasty is a surgery to repair your ruptured or damaged eardrum. The eardrum, or what we medically call the Tympanic Membrane , is a very thin tissue located between your outer ear and your middle ear. It's like the skin of a drum. This eardrum helps us hear because it vibrates in response to sound waves.
Consider, frequent ear infections, head injuries, putting things in your ears, and sudden loud noises can cause your eardrum to rupture, or become perforated. Myringoplasty is a surgical procedure that closes the hole and restores the eardrum to its normal position. This can reduce the risk of vertigo, mastoiditis, and, in the worst case, permanent hearing loss.
This surgery is a common procedure performed by ear, nose, and throat specialists (otolaryngologists). It can be performed on adults as well as young children.
Who really needs this surgery?
Most of the time, a ruptured eardrum will heal on its own within a few weeks. However, your doctor may recommend this surgery in the following cases:
- If the hole in the eardrum hasn't healed after about three months.
- If you or your child gets frequent ear infections .
- If you have hearing loss due to a hole in the eardrum.
- If the eardrum has been damaged, that is, perforated, due to some accident.
What types of patches are used for surgery?
Doctors use various materials to patch or 'patch' a hole in the eardrum. It's like patching a torn piece of clothing.
| Graft Material | Simple description |
|---|---|
| Synthetic materials | The hole is closed using materials such as gel foam or special surgical paper. |
| Temporalis fascia | This is a strong tissue that covers the jaw muscle, above your ear. A small piece is taken from there and used. |
| Perichondrium | A small piece of tissue around the cartilage in your earlobe is taken and used. |
| Fat | Sometimes a small piece of fatty tissue is taken from your earlobe and used to close the hole. |
| Cartilage | This surgery can also be performed by taking a small piece of cartilage from the ear itself. |
How do you prepare before surgery?
Your doctor will clearly explain to you what to do before surgery. In general, be aware of the following:
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any medications, vitamins, or supplements you are currently taking .
- Arrange for a family member or friend to accompany you to the hospital on the day of surgery.
- Plan ahead to take a few days off from work or school to recover.
How is the surgery done?
Most of the time, this surgery is done under general anesthesia. However, some people can have it done under local anesthesia, which means that only the ear is numbed. Your doctor will decide which method is best for you or your child.
During the operation, the surgeon will do the following:
1. A small incision is made through your ear canal or behind your ear to reach the eardrum.
2. The tissue around the eardrum hole is cleaned by scraping it off and preparing the new 'patch' for implantation.
3. Then, as discussed earlier, a piece of tissue (graft) or artificial material taken from your own body is used as a 'patch'.
4. Place the 'patch' over the hole in the eardrum and stick it on.
5. Finally, the inside of the ear is packed with a cotton-like material and a bandage is applied on the outside.
This entire surgery usually takes between 30 and 90 minutes .
What are the benefits and risks of surgery?
Like anything, this surgery has benefits and very minor risks.
Advantages
- This surgery is very successful. The success rate is over 90%.
- Most people's hearing returns to normal after surgery.
- When this surgery is performed on young children, language delays that can be caused by hearing impairment can be prevented.
Risks
Complications from myringoplasty surgery are very rare, but it's important to be aware of them.
Remember, these are not things that happen to everyone. The risk is very low.
- Occurrence of an infection.
- Hearing different sounds in the ears (Tinnitus).
- Dizziness.
- Further hearing loss (very rare).
- Graft failure.
- Recurrence of a hole in the eardrum.
How long does it take to heal? How can I take care of it at home?
You will usually be back to normal within one to two weeks. Adults will need to take at least a week off work. Children should also be off school for about a week. The doctor will ask you to come back for a follow-up visit 4-6 weeks after the surgery.
Take special care of these things at home after surgery:
- Take all medications prescribed by the doctor on time.
- Do not remove the bandage on your ear until the doctor tells you to. He will explain to you how to put ear drops in your ear.
- Get as much rest as possible.
- When you snort , snort with your mouth open. Don't snort with your mouth closed. Doing so can cause pressure on your ears.
- Don't scratch your nose loudly.
- Avoid bathing your head until your doctor gives you permission. It's okay to wash your body, but be sure to put something like a cotton ball in your ear to prevent water from getting in.
- Don't go swimming for a few weeks.
When should you see a doctor immediately?
After surgery, if you or your child develop any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).
| Warning Sign |
|---|
| Fever higher than 103 Fahrenheit (39.4 Celsius). |
| Severe ear pain that does not subside despite taking medication. |
| Severe nausea or vomiting. |
| Weakness of facial muscles (such as a frown). |
| Difficulty breathing. |
| Persistent dizziness or ringing in the ears (tinnitus). |
| Excessive bleeding from the ear. |
Take-Home Message
- Myringoplasty is a very successful and common surgery to repair a ruptured eardrum.
- Although the eardrum often heals on its own, if it doesn't heal for several months or if you get frequent infections, talk to your doctor about this surgery.
- Following your doctor's instructions exactly after surgery is very important for a speedy recovery.
- If any dangerous symptoms arise, do not panic or delay, but seek medical advice immediately.
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