Repair of a perforated eardrum

Is Tympanoplasty a major surgery?
Patch Tympanoplasty

This is the most minor of the procedures. It is performed in the office in adults and under anesthesia in children.

How do they repair a perforated eardrum?
Tympanoplasty. In some cases, your surgeon treats a ruptured eardrum with a procedure called tympanoplasty. Your surgeon grafts a tiny patch of your own tissue to close the hole in the eardrum. Most ruptured (perforated) eardrums heal without treatment within a few weeks.

How is eardrum surgery performed?
Surgery to repair a burst eardrum is usually done in hospital under general anaesthetic (where you're asleep). During the procedure: a small cut is made just in front or behind your ear and a small piece of tissue is removed from under your skin – this will leave a small scar, which will usually be covered by your hair.

How long does a tympanoplasty take?
Tympanoplasty usually takes from 2 to 3 hours. Recovery from general anesthetic can take several hours. Your child might be prescribed medications after the surgery.

Is eardrum repair surgery painful?
After surgery, you may feel shooting pain in your ear or you may feel as though your ear is filled with liquid. You may also hear popping, clicking, or other sounds in your ear. These symptoms are usually mild and improve after a few days.

What can you not do after tympanoplasty?
You should avoid all activities that may increase the blood pressure in the head area. Therefore, avoid all bending over and lifting heavy objects for at least two weeks after surgery. You should not blow your nose for three weeks. Try to avoid sneezing for the first several weeks post-operatively.

How long does a burst eardrum take to heal?
A perforated or burst eardrum is a hole in the eardrum. It'll usually heal within a few weeks and might not need any treatment. But it's a good idea to see a GP if you think your eardrum has burst, as it can cause problems such as ear infections.

Can you live with a perforated eardrum?
A torn (perforated) eardrum is not usually serious and often heals on its own without any complications. Complications sometimes occur such as hearing loss and infection in the middle ear. A small procedure to repair a perforated eardrum is an option if it does not heal by itself, especially if you have hearing loss.

What happens if you get water in a perforated eardrum?
Keep your ear dry.

It's very important to keep your ear dry if the eardrum membrane has been ruptured, because any water that gets inside the ear could lead to infection. To help with this, wear earplugs or a shower cap to cover your ears when showering, and avoid swimming.

How long does it take to heal from ear surgery?
The healing time for ear surgery is often less than expected and the results are worth the wait. While swelling should be completely gone after four to six weeks, your healing will continue for the entire first year.