What is a Tympanic membrane?
It is also called eardrum, a thin layer in the ear canal that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. It helps in the hearing by transmitting the sound from the outer ear to the middle ear. It also helps in protecting the middle ear from the external environment.
What is Myringotomy?
It is a procedure to examine the middle ear for fluids or infection by creating a small opening in the tympanic membrane under the microscope.
What is Grommet tube?
It is a small tube (size measures in millimeters) inserted in eardrum after myringotomy.
Why does my doctor recommend Myringotomy?
Your doctor may offer the procedure in case of reduced hearing due to fluid collection behind the ear drum or severe retraction of ear drum or as a part of other procedure (mastoidectomy).
How is Myringotomy procedure done?
It is can be performed under local or general anesthesia through the ear canal, using a microscope or endoscope. In adults, it is generally performed as an office-based operation under local anesthesia while in children it is usually done under general anesthesia. The operation takes around 10-15 minutes.
Possible Complications:
Bleeding, Pain, Infection and discharge, Dizziness, Hearing deterioration, Injury to the ossicles, Persistence of eardrum perforation, Facial weakness (less than 1%), Revision of operation, May need tympanoplasty in case of persistence of perforation, may need to be removed in patients with persistent discharge
What to expect after your surgery?
- Can eat and drink normally
- Minimal pain is expected after the operation
- You may notice a small amount of blood- or blood-stained discharge on the day of surgery
- The tube may fall out spontaneously within 6 months to 2 years
- Written card with your appointments will be given before you go home.
Home advice:
- Water precautions needed i.e., avoid water going inside the ears (block the operated ears with cotton soaked in oil or Vaseline or ear plugs/moulds)
- You can drive normally unless you feel dizzy and unsteady
- Take medication as directed.
When to visit Emergency: (Hamad General Hospital)
- Severe dizziness
- Clear fluid from the ear
- Continuous Bleeding from the ear
- Facial asymmetry
- Hearing deterioration/loss
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