Tympanoplasty

• Incision and Access: A small incision is made behind the ear (postauricular) or within the ear canal (endaural) to access the eardrum and middle ear.
• Eardrum Repair (Graft Placement): The perforation in the eardrum is repaired using a graft, which is typically harvested from the patient's own tissue (temporalis fascia or cartilage).
• Ossicular Chain Reconstruction (If Needed):If the ossicles are damaged or disrupted, they may be repaired or replaced with prosthetic implants to improve sound transmission.
• Closing the Incision: Once the repair is complete, the incision is closed with sutures. A small ear dressing or packing may be placed to support the graft and promote healing.

Although tympanoplasty is generally safe, complications can occur:

• Hearing Loss: There may be a temporary or permanent reduction in hearing after the surgery.
• Infection: Post-surgical infections in the ear are rare but can occur.
• Dizziness: Some patients experience dizziness or vertigo post-operatively.
• Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears may persist or worsen in some cases.
• Failure of Graft: In some instances, the graft may not take properly, leading to a re-perforation of the eardrum.
• Facial Nerve Injury: Though extremely rare, there is a risk of injury to the facial nerve during surgery.