Tympanoplasty can repair a damaged eardrum, stop an infection, and improve hearing. During surgery, you may be given general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. Tympanoplasty usually takes about 1–3 hours. Sometimes it may be done along with a mastoidectomy.
A Common Reason for Tympanoplasty: Infection and Injury
Your eardrum may become damaged by chronic ear infections. Certain injuries to the ear can also tear the eardrum. An eardrum with a tear or a hole in it may keep you from hearing well, it may also cause ear pain.
Repairing the Eardrum: The Surgery
The eardrum can be reached through the ear canal or your surgeon may make an incision behind the ear; both approaches may be used. Then, the eardrum is repaired with a graft. A graft is a small piece of material, often your own tissue. It covers the tear or hole in your eardrum. The graft is secured with a spongy substance. This substance dissolves as the graft heals.
