Definition of Eardrum repair:

Eardrum repair, called tympanoplasty, is a procedure to correct a tear in the eardrum (tympanic membrane). Ossiculoplasty is the repair of the small bones in the middle ear.

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 artificial bones or ossicles from a donor.

Why the Procedure Is Performed:

A number of problems can permanently damage your eardrum (tympanic membrane) or harm the very small bones (ossicles) that are right behind the eardrum. These problems include chronic ear infections, trauma, cancer, and cholesteatoma.

This damage may cause hearing loss, pain, or an infection that does not go away.

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