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Tympanoplasty (Adult)

What Is Tympanoplasty Surgery

Patients suffering from an infected ear or impaired hearing due to a perforated eardrum receive a tympanoplasty or myringoplasty operation to seal the eardrum.  After administering general anesthesia to the patient, the surgeon makes an incision above the ear and removes a small, thin piece of tissue for use as a graft.  This graft seals the hole in the eardrum.  The surgeon shines a microscope into the ear and uses tiny instruments to lift the eardrum and implant the graft underneath it.  Spreading out the graft to ensure that it covers the hole, the surgeon places dissolvable material on the sides of the graft in the ear tube and middle ear to support it until it has fully healed.  This material melts away within a few weeks.  An antibiotic dressing placed in the ear passage remains in place for approximately 3 weeks.  Cotton wool is held in place over the ear with a bandage.  Most patients remain hospitalized for tympanoplasty and myringoplasty (adult) for 1 to 2 days.   

For the first 24 hours, patients should not blow their noses or stifle sneezes.  Some discomfort while opening the mouth may be apparent for the first 1 to 2 weeks.  The stitches usually stay in place for 7 days, during which time the ear and the wound above it should remain dry at all times.  Most patients resume work within 10 days but should avoid flying until the surgeon confirms that the tympanoplasty/myringoplasty operation was successful.Â