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Eardrum repair

Definition:

Eardrum repair is a procedure to correct a tear in the eardrum (tympanic membrane) or the small bones in the middle ear.

Alternative Names:

Tympanoplasty

Description:

Using general anesthesia, an ear-nose-throat (ENT) specialist grafts a small patch from a vein or fascia (muscle sheath) onto the eardrum to repair the tear.

For problems with the small bones (ossicles), the surgeon will use an operating microscope to view and repair this chain of small bones using plastic devices or ossicles from a donor.

Indications:

If antibiotics or other non-operative treatments do not heal chronic ear infections, surgical eardrum repair may be necessary.

Chronic middle ear infections are described as:

Signs of chronic ear infections include persistent ear pain , ear drainage , or hearing loss (over a 3-month period).

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