Tympanoplasty is a surgery done to repair a perforation (hole) in the eardrum. A perforation in the eardrum can result in recurrent ear infections. Thus, the aim of the tympanoplasty is to prevent the recurrent infection. It often helps to improve your hearing as well.
This surgery is done under general anaesthesia. The repair is done by means of a graft placed to cover the perforation. The graft may either be harvested from your own fascia or made of a synthetic material.
Patients with perforation in the eardrum would present with ear discharge (otorrhoea) and hearing loss. Other symptoms include tinnitus, giddiness, ear pain (otalgia).
It is important that in the days leading up to the surgery, that there is no active infection of the ear, as this would decrease the success rate of the surgery. This is often achieved with water precautions to the affected ear. If there are any symptoms of infection, it is important to inform your doctor and get the infection treated first.
You will be discharged from the hospital after a night’s stay after your operation. Often, a "Day Surgery" option is also possible.
Rest assured that the doctor and the nursing team will teach you the wound care and give you specific instructions prior to your discharge. A doctor’s appointment will usually be fixed for you about one week after your discharge to review your wound.
