MYRINGOPLASTY

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What is a myringoplasty?

An otolaryngologist performs a myringoplasty to treat an eardrum perforation, which is a hole in the eardrum. The hole is healed with a graft made of either a small piece of tissue from elsewhere on the body or a gel-like material. This can help you avoid infections and improve your hearing in some cases.

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Why is a myringoplasty needed?

Trauma or an infection in your middle ear that bursts through your eardrum can create a perforated eardrum, which can lead to recurrent ear infections and poor hearing. The eardrum, also known as the tympanic membrane, lies between the outer and middle ear. This thin membrane responds to sound waves by vibrating and plays a function in hearing. A severe ear infection, an ear tube, or an injury such as an object protruding into the ear canal, can all cause a hole in this membrane. A hole in the eardrum heals in roughly 90% of instances without therapy. Infected holes that do not heal within three months are prone to infection and might result in temporary hearing loss. Surgical intervention is indicated in these situations.

A myringoplasty may also be necessary if:

• You have a history of ear infections. This could indicate an issue with the Eustachian tube, which prevents the hole from mending on its own.
• Water enters the ear, causing infection.

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How is a myringoplasty performed?

This procedure typically takes between ten and thirty minutes to perform. Depending on the size and location of the hole and the size of your ear canal, Dr Nel will enter the ear by an incision behind the ear or through the ear canal during myringoplasty.

She will then use a tool to "freshen" the hole's edge, causing the body's natural healing process to begin. A tissue graft or gel foam will be placed to close the hole. Cotton packing and bandages will be used to protect the wound during the healing process after a myringoplasty.