Tympanoplasty is the name of a surgery which repairs the hole in the eardrum, known as the perforated eardrum. The procedure is done in the hospital by giving general anesthesia. The surgery takes two or more hours. Tympanoplasty is generally a procedure for children. However, in some cases, adults may also need the procedure.
When any sound wave reaches the eardrum it causes vibration. The vibrations are then carried to the tiny bones of the middle ear. Then these bones transfer the signals to the inner ear. The eardrum consists of a thin connective tissue membrane which has skin on the outside and mucosa on the inside.
The eardrum is a complex part of the process of the hearing process system. It protects our middle ear from bacteria causing infection. But sometimes an infection may lead to perforation in the eardrum.
The eardrum may face problems like perforation and inflammation which is known as tympanitis.
An inflammation of the tympanic membrane, or eardrum, is medically referred to as tympanitis. The eardrum may become inflamed due to trauma or bacteria. It can leave a serious impact on hearing.
There are various factors involved in the inflammation of the eardrum.
The symptoms of tympanitis are:
The treatment of tympanitis depends on the cause of it.
In the middle ear infection, the doctor may prescribe you some pain killers to relieve the pain. In some cases, the doctors may also prescribe antibiotics. But it can get cured even with antibiotics some days after the diagnosis using an otoscope.
In this type of infection the doctors usually prescribe antibiotics and pain killers.
The doctors may prescribe antibiotic eardrops which contain steroids that reduce inflammation.
A perforated eardrum is a hole in the thin tissue that separates the ear canal from the middle ear that is eardrum. Eardrum perforation may result in loss of hearing. It can also make the middle ear weak causing other infections. A perforated eardrum gets healed within a few weeks without any treatment. However, sometimes a patch or surgery is required to repair the hole. Everything is discussed here about the perforated eardrum and its treatment.
You will observe these signs if you have a perforated eardrum or other ear infection.
A hole in the middle ear or a perforated eardrum may be caused by:
Otitis media means a middle ear infection often caused by the gathering of fluids in your middle ear. The pressure created by these fluids may result in a perforated eardrum.
Barotrauma is the stress applied to the eardrum when the pressure of air in the middle ear and the pressure of the air surrounding you are unsteady. Barotraumas are often caused when the pressure of air changes in connection with air travel.
Acoustic trauma means a sudden loud sound or blast, such as a gunshot or explosion, overpowering the sound wave coming to the ear and can sometimes cause a perforated eardrum.
If you put small objects, such as a hairpin or cotton bud, can tear the eardrum.
Injury to the head, like a fracture on the skull, may result in damage or dislocation of the eardrum.
Generally, the perforated eardrum gets healed within three to six months on its own. But if it fails to do it some severe problems may occur.
Most of the time, hearing loss is temporary. It only lasts until the tear in the eardrum has healed. The area and the size of the hole can decide the effect of loss of hearing.
The hole in the eardrum can lead to making the area vulnerable, resulting in an attack of bacteria in the ear. It can create chronic infection along with a perforated eardrum.
This happens very rarely though, when this cyst develops in the middle ear, composed of skin cells, which can result in long-term damage to the eardrum. A cyst can create a friendly environment for the bacteria, which can damage middle ear bones.
Generally, perforated eardrums don’t need to be treated, as they can heal by themselves.
Try to follow these tips during the healing process so that the chances become less for ear infections:
When your perforated eardrum doesn’t get healed on its own, then you must get eardrum perforation treatment. In tympanoplasty, the doctor will heal the eardrum by applying patches to the hole. It is also done through the ear canal or an incision at the back of your ear. A tissue graft is taken from behind your ear and is used as the patch. Other than the tissue, the doctors may also use synthetic material grafts.
The doctor will inform you about the risks and benefits involved in the surgery before recommending tympanoplasty. If anesthesia doesn’t suit you, it will be avoided by the doctor.
Anesthesia can be risky for patients who are:
Risks are involved with any kind of surgery. But as tympanoplasty is done in a small area, the risks are less.
Some risks involved are:
Many people from Arabic countries like Iraq, Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia travel to India seeking the best treatment at minimum cost. The cost of Tympanoplasty in India is amazingly lower than the rest of the countries. Indian hospitals have the most advanced technology and Indian doctors are very well-trained with years of experience. India is providing different packages for the international patients. Tympanoplasty and Myringoplasty are the treatments available in India for eardrum repair. The cost of Tympanoplasty in India is mentioned below.
| Treatment | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tympanoplasty in India | 2000 USD |
The procedure of the surgery is done in the hospital.
The doctor will make a small cut in front or behind your ear to take a small tissue from your skin. They will then, with the help of small surgical instruments, patch the hole of your eardrum with that piece of tissue. After that, a dressing will be placed to hold the patch. It will help to prevent water and germs from going in. The patch has to stay in place for 2 to 3 weeks. The whole process of surgery usually takes two hours.
After spending one night for observation in the hospital, if there are no further complications, you will get discharged. Children are usually discharged on the same day if their vital signs are stable.
Follow the complete guidelines provided by the doctor for the recovery process. You must avoid heavy lifting or strain for at least 2 weeks. The doctor may also call you within a week to make sure everything is fine and to remove the stitches.
You may face some issues, like drainage of fluids. You can use cotton balls to keep the area dry. The doctor can also prescribe you some ear drops to use after surgery.
Try to avoid these activities without asking permission from the doctor.
Tympanoplasty may take two to three months to recover fully. It is advised to follow the instructions of the doctor to ensure a safe recovery. You must have patience while dealing with the recovery phase.
Dr Hans Cochlear Implant Center 
PSRI Hospital, Delhi 
Nanavati Max Hospital, Mumbai 
Max Hospital, Saket 
TX Hospitals, Hyderabad 
Kinder Hospitals, Kochi 
Dr. Sumit Mrig 
Dr. Rohit Udaya Prasad 
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