The tympanic membrane (also known as the eardrum) is a 3 layered structure composed of 2 layers of cells. Small perforations (holes) often heal spontaneously and can result from trauma, infection, or the sound wave from an explosion. However, if the defect is large, or healing is impaired by poor blood supply or infection, perforations my persist and require surgical correction.
Tympanoplasty is a surgical procedure to repair a tympanic membrane perforation. This typically requires general anesthesia. Depending on the size and location of the perforation, your surgeon will make an incision either behind the ear, or in the ear canal itself, to provide access to the eardrum. A graft will be taken from under the skin and used to repair the hole. The incisions are then closed, and the ear is packed to allow the repair to heal.
Tympanoplasty is typically performed on an outpatient basis. Your surgeon will give you prescriptions for pain medications and antibiotics. Often times, patients are discharged with a head wrap dressing, which can be removed the following day. Sutures behind the ear should be removed the following week.
Tympanoplasty is more than 90% effective in permanently repairing tympanic membrane perforations.