Why is this procedure done?
The eardrum is also called the tympanic membrane. It is a part of the ear that controls the sound going into the ear. It protects the inside part of the ear from dirt and other small particles. The eardrum can be damaged by: ‚
- Very loud noises
- Ear pressure differences
- Dirt and foreign objects inside the ear
- Trauma to the ear
Sometimes a small hole in your eardrum may heal on its own. Other times it needs to be repaired. Your eardrum may need to be repaired if: ‚
- The hole is very large.
- You have had an infection for a long time and drugs have not helped.
- You have problems with your hearing.
What will the results be?
Your hearing will be clearer. The hole inside your eardrum will be fixed. Any fluid in your ear will be drained. If you have dirt or something else inside your ear, it will be taken out. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will take your history. Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- Your doctor will do an exam and may order:
- Lab tests
- Ear exam
- Hearing test
- You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery. Monitors will keep track of your blood pressure and heart rate.
- Your doctor will use a special tool to see the inside of your ears better.
- Any dirt, fluid, or other object will be removed.
- Your doctor will decide the best way to fix the hole in your eardrum.
- One way is to cover the hole with a special paper or foam. The doctor may also use a small piece of fat from your earlobe. This kind of surgery is a myringoplasty.
- The doctor uses very small tools and works through your ear canal.
- You may have a small cut on your earlobe. The doctor will put a clean bandage over this area.
- This procedure takes about 15 to 25 minutes.
- Another way is to use a different kind of tissue graft to cover the hole. This kind of surgery is a tympanoplasty.
- The doctor will try and use very small tools to work through your ear canal. Sometimes the doctor may need to make a cut behind the ear.
- You will have a bandage where the tissue for the graft was taken.
- This procedure takes about 2 to 3 hours.
- Your doctor may repeat the procedure on your other ear if there is a hole in that eardrum.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Recovery Room and the staff will watch you closely. Most often, you will go home the same day of the surgery.
- You may have discomfort after the procedure. This may become more painful when the anesthesia wears off. Your doctor may give you drugs for this.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor will give you ear drops or pills for pain and infection. Take all the drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Talk to your doctor about when it is safe for you to travel by plane or go scuba diving or swimming.
- Put 2 to 3 pillows under your head and shoulders when you lie down to rest or go to sleep.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your ears. Ask your doctor about:
- Any drainage you may see coming from your ears. It may be yellow, green, or bloody for a few days. Find out if it is OK to put clean cotton in your ear to capture the drainage.
- When you may take a bath or shower. Ask if you need to take extra care to avoid getting water in your ears.
- How to clean your ears. Do not use swabs.
- If you need to be careful with blowing your nose
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Rest for the first few days after the procedure. Avoid activities like heavy lifting and hard exercise.
- Avoid going to crowded places where people with cough and colds may be.
What problems could happen?
- Hearing loss
- Hole in the eardrum does not close
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Ringing in the ear. This is tinnitus.
- Graft might come off
- Dizziness or vertigo
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- See your doctor if you think you have an ear infection.
- Keep foreign objects out of your ears. Teach your children that putting things in the ears can harm the eardrum.
- Do not try to remove a foreign object yourself. See your doctor.
- Try chewing gum or yawn during takeoff and landing when flying. This may help keep the ear passages open. Avoid flying if you have ear congestion.
- Protect your ears from loud noises. Wear earplugs or hearing protection when needed.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum.
- Stiff neck
- Problems swallowing
- Ear tube falls out
- Drainage from your ear after the first few days
- Ear pain
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Where can I learn more?
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/perforated-eardrum/pages/treatment.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚