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What Is Left Tympanoplasty?

A left tympanoplasty is the surgical reconstruction of a ruptured or perforated tympanic membrane, or ear drum, in the left ear. Ear drum ruptures or perforations can be caused by allergies and sinus troubles, repeated ear infections or trauma, such as an object lodged in the ear canal. A tympanoplasty is a common procedure in both children and adults.

  1. Indications

    • A tympanoplasty is indicated when a visual exam of the ear drum reveals a rupture or perforation. Common signs of a damaged ear drum include pain, fluid drainage, bloody discharge, poor balance and hearing loss. Before a tympanoplasty can be performed, any infection should be treated by antibiotics and any fluid should be treated with sinus or allergy medication. In cases where the ear drum is perforated due to disease or infection, ear tubes may be placed during the same operative session.

    Procedure Details

    • A tympanoplasty can be performed in an office setting in cases of minor perforations, but most tympanoplasties are performed in a surgery center or hospital under general anesthesia. A skin graft is taken from the area just in front of the ear or from behind the ear. A small gel sponge is placed under the ear drum to support the graft. In cases where the perforation is small, the repair may be performed through the ear canal. In cases of large perforations, an incision is made behind the ear to better expose the perforation.

    After Surgery

    • Patients are generally discharged within three hours of surgery with a prescription for antibiotics and pain medication. The ear should be kept dry and nose blowing, drinking with a straw and airplane flights should be limited if possible. Ten days after surgery, the patient will have a followup visit with the surgeon. Ear packing will be taken out of the ear canal and the graft will be inspected. After six weeks, a hearing test may be performed.

    Risks

    • Risks associated with tympanoplasty include narrowing of the ear canal, failure of the graft to properly heal, infection, recurring perforations, adhesions, scarring and development or recurrence of cholesteatomas. However, over 90 percent of tympanoplasties are successful in completely resolving ear symptoms with only minor hearing loss reported.

    Complication Rates

    • It is rare for severe complications to occur after a tympanoplasty. Permanent partial hearing loss due to failure of the graft to heal is found in just five percent of cases. Permanent total hearing loss occurs in 1 out of every 100 patients. Patients may also experience dizziness for up to two weeks following surgery.

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