What means Surgical repair of the middle ear?

Surgical repair of the middle ear refers to surgical interventions performed to address various conditions affecting the middle ear, which is the air-filled cavity located behind the eardrum. These surgeries aim to restore or improve hearing, manage chronic infections, or correct structural abnormalities within the middle ear.

Types of surgical repair of the middle ear include:

1. Tympanoplasty: This procedure involves repairing a perforated or damaged eardrum (tympanic membrane). It can be performed using various techniques, including grafting material from the patient's own body or using artificial materials.

2. Mastoidectomy: A mastoidectomy is performed to remove diseased or infected tissue from the mastoid bone, which is located behind the ear. It is commonly done to treat chronic middle ear infections or complications such as mastoiditis.

3. Ossiculoplasty: This surgery aims to reconstruct or replace the ossicles, the tiny bones in the middle ear responsible for transmitting sound vibrations. Ossiculoplasty is often performed to correct hearing loss caused by damage or abnormalities of the ossicles.

4. Stapedectomy: Stapedectomy involves the removal of the stapes, one of the ossicles, and replacing it with a prosthetic device called a stapes prosthesis. This procedure is commonly performed to treat a condition called otosclerosis, where the stapes becomes fixed and unable to transmit sound properly.

5. Myringoplasty: Myringoplasty is a surgical procedure that aims to repair a perforated eardrum by placing a graft or patch over the perforation. This helps restore the integrity of the eardrum and improve hearing.

6. Tympanostomy Tube Insertion: Tympanostomy tubes, also known as ear tubes, are small tubes inserted into the eardrum to ventilate the middle ear and relieve pressure. This procedure is commonly performed in children with recurrent middle ear infections or fluid buildup in the middle ear.

The specific surgical technique used depends on the underlying condition being addressed and the individual patient's circumstances. Middle ear surgeries are typically performed by Otolaryngologists (Ear, Nose, and Throat specialists) in a hospital or surgical center setting.