Why is the eardrum perforated?
The eardrum can be perforated due to factors such as inflammation, impact (trauma) and pressure. It is most commonly seen in chronic middle ear infections.
Why is the hole in the eardrum important?
The barrier formed by the eardrum between the outer ear and the middle ear disappears due to the membrane, which is the hole, and these two structures become interconnected. Water from the external auditory canal (via bath/shower, sea/pool) may escape into the middle ear cavity and increase the risk of disease in tissues such as facial nerve, inner ear and brain adjacent to the middle ear. The perforated eardrum loses its tension and may cause hearing loss.
How is the hole in the eardrum treated?
If the hole in the eardrum is very small, not inflamed and hearing loss has not occurred, it can be followed by protecting it from contact with water (bathing, swimming in the pool and sea). The hole in the eardrum should be closed surgically in order to provide a dry ear without inflammation and to prevent the progression of hearing loss in a patient with recurrent or persistent ear discharge and hearing loss due to water leaking into the middle ear through the hole in the eardrum.
How is eardrum surgery done?
Eardrum surgery is called “myringoplasty” and is performed under general anesthesia. Eardrum surgery is performed through the outer ear canal with camera, without any incision outside. This technique is called ‘endoscopic myringoplasty‘. These surgeries, which have been performed with a microscope for years, have recently started to be performed with a camera in some clinics. I have been performing middle ear surgeries with a camera for a long time. The advantage of doing it with a camera is that the surgery can be performed without an incision outside the ear canal. The tissue that covers the hole in the eardrum is taken from the patient’s own ear cartilage.
What should be considered after eardrum surgery?
Patients can be discharged from the hospital, usually on the first day after surgery, with dressings made. Post-operative pain and bleeding are not uncommon. Ear dressing is done several times after the operation. The state of hearing loss is measured by future hearing tests. The success rate of the surgery is very high.
More detailed information will be given about the conditions to be considered before and after the surgery, possible complications and possible risks.