Myringoplasty is the procedure where a defect or perforation of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) is repaired. This can help to prevent future episodes of middle ear infection. In some cases, this surgery can also improve hearing in the affected ear.
This surgery allows the defect or perforation in the tympanic membrane to be repaired, thereby sealing the middle ear space and reducing the incidence of recurrent infections of the middle ear space. The surgery also restores the completeness of the ear drum allowing the ear drum to vibrate and transmit sound to the rest of the middle ear structures.
The surgery is performed usually under general anaesthesia and involves an incision either in front of or behind the ear to harvest some tissue to be used as graft material. This tissue graft will then be used to seal up the perforation in the ear drum. A variety of methods is employed to apply and keep the graft material in place. The external ear canal is then packed with soft sponge-like gel foam and the incision closed with sutures. Lastly, a pressure bandage will be applied around the head over the ear after the operation is completed.
