Tympanoplasty
Definition
Tympanoplasty, also called eardrum repair, refers to surgery performed to reconstruct a perforated tympanic membrane (eardrum) or the small bones of the middle ear. Eardrum perforation may result from chronic infection or, less commonly, from trauma to the eardrum.
Purpose
The tympanic membrane of the ear is a three-layer structure. The outer and inner layers consist of epithelium cells. Perforations occur as a result of defects in the middle layer, which contains elastic collagen fibers. Small perforations usually heal spontaneously. However, if the defect is relatively large, or if there is a poor blood supply or an infection during the healing process, spontaneous repair may be hindered. Eardrums may also be perforated as a result of trauma, such as an object in the ear, a slap on the ear, or an explosion.
The purpose of tympanoplasty is to repair the perforated eardrum, and sometimes the middle ear bones (ossicles) that consist of the incus, malleus, and stapes. Tympanic membrane grafting may be required. If needed, grafts are usually taken from a vein or fascia (muscle sheath) tissue on the lobe of the ear. Synthetic materials may be used if patients have had previous surgeries and have limited graft availability.
Demographics
In the United States, ear disorders leading to hearing loss affect all ages. Over 60% of the population with hearing loss is under the age of 65, although nearly 25% of those above age 65 have a hearing loss that is considered significant. Causes include: birth defect (4.4%), ear infection (12.2%), ear injury (4.9%), damage due to excessive noise levels (33.7%), advanced age (28%), and other problems (16.8%).
Description
There are five basic types of tympanoplasty procedures:
- Type I tympanoplasty is called myringoplasty, and only involves the restoration of the perforated eardrum by grafting.
- Type II tympanoplasty is used for tympanic membrane perforations with erosion of the malleus. It involves grafting onto the incus or the remains of the malleus.
- Type III tympanoplasty is indicated for destruction of two ossicles, with the stapes still intact and mobile. It involves placing a graft onto the stapes, and providing protection for the assembly.
- Type IV tympanoplasty is used for ossicular destruction, which includes all or part of the stapes arch. It involves placing a graft onto or around a mobile stapes footplate.
- Type V tympanoplasty is used when the footplate of the stapes is fixed.
Depending on its type, tympanoplasty can be performed under local or general anesthesia. In small perforations of the eardrum, Type I tympanoplasty can be easily performed under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. An incision is made into the ear canal and the remaining eardrum is elevated away from the bony ear canal, and lifted forward. The surgeon uses an operating microscope to enlarge the view of the ear structures. If the perforation is very large or the hole is far forward and away from the view of the surgeon, it may be necessary to perform an incision behind the ear. This elevates the entire outer ear forward, providing access to the perforation. Once the hole is fully exposed, the perforated remnant is rotated forward, and the bones of hearing are inspected. If scar tissue is present, it is removed either with micro hooks or laser.
Tissue is then taken either from the back of the ear, the tragus (small cartilaginous lobe of skin in front the ear), or from a vein. The tissues are thinned and dried. An absorbable gelatin sponge is placed under the eardrum to support the graft. The graft is then inserted underneath the remaining eardrum remnant, which is folded back onto the perforation to provide closure. Very thin sheeting is usually placed against the top of the graft to prevent it from sliding out of the ear when the patient sneezes.
If it was opened from behind, the ear is then stitched together. Usually, the stitches are buried in the skin and do not have to be removed later. A sterile patch is placed on the outside of the ear canal and the patient returns to the recovery room .
Diagnosis/Preparation
The examining physician performs a complete physical with diagnostic testing of the ear, which includes an audiogram and history of the hearing loss, as well as any vertigo or facial weakness. A microscopic exam is also performed. Otoscopy is used to assess the mobility of the tympanic membrane and the malleus. A fistula test can be performed if there is a history of dizziness or a marginal perforation of the eardrum.
Preparation for surgery depends upon the type of tympanoplasty. For all procedures, however; blood and urine studies, and hearing tests are conducted prior to surgery.
Aftercare
Generally, the patient can return home within two to three hours. Antibiotics are given, along with a mild pain reliever. After 10 days, the packing is removed and the ear is evaluated to see if the graft was successful. Water is kept away from the ear, and nose blowing is discouraged. If there are allegies or a cold, antibiotics and a decongestant are usually prescribed. Most patients can return to work after five or six days, or two to three weeks if they perform heavy physical labor. After three weeks, all packing is completely removed under the operating microscope. It is then determined whether or not the graft has fully taken.
Post-operative care is also designed to keep the patient comfortable. Infection is generally prevented by soaking the ear canal with antibiotics. To heal, the graft must be kept free from infection, and must not experience shearing forces or excessive tension. Activities that change the tympanic pressure are forbidden, such as sneezing with the mouth shut, using a straw to drink, or heavy nose blowing. A complete hearing test is performed four to six weeks after the operation.
Risks
Possible complications include failure of the graft to heal, causing recurrent eardrum perforation; narrowing (stenosis) of the ear canal; scarring or adhesions in the middle ear; perilymph fistula and hearing loss; erosion or extrusion of the prosthesis; dislocation of the prosthesis; and facial nerve injury. Other problems such as recurrence of cholesteatoma, may or may not result from the surgery.
Tinnitus (noises in the ear), particularly echo-type noises, may be present as a result of the perforation itself. Usually, with improvement in hearing and closure of the eardrum, the tinnitus resolves. In some cases, however, it may worsen after the operation. It is rare for the tinnitus to be permanent after surgery.
Normal results
Tympanoplasty is successful in over 90% of cases. In most cases, the operation relieves pain and infection symptoms completely. Hearing loss is minor.
Morbidity and mortality rates
There can be imbalance and dizziness immediately after this procedure. Dizziness, however, is uncommon in tympanoplasties that only involve the eardrum. Besides failure of the graft, there may be further hearing loss due to unexplained factors during the healing process. This occurs in less than 5% of patients. A total hearing loss from tympanoplasty surgery is rare, occurring in less than 1% of operations. Mild postoperative dizziness and imbalance can persist for about a week after surgery. If the ear becomes infected after surgery, the risk of dizziness increases. Generally, imbalance and dizziness completely disappears after a week or two.
Alternatives
Myringoplasty is another operative procedure used in the reconstruction of a perforation of the tympanic membrane. It is performed when the middle ear space, its mucosa, and the ossicular chain are free of active infection. Unlike tympanoplasty, there is no direct inspection of the middle ear during this procedure.
See also Mastoidectomy .
Resources
BOOKS
Fisch, H. and J. May. Tympanoplasty, Mastoidectomy, and Stapes Surgery. New York: Thieme Medical Pub., 1994.
Roland, P. S. Tympanoplasty: Repair of the Tympanic Membrane. Continuing Education Program (American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation). Alexandria, VA: American Academy of Otolaryngology, 1994.
Tos, M. Manual of Middle Ear Surgery: Approaches, Myringoplasty, Ossiculoplasty and Tympanoplasty. New York: Thieme Medical Pub., 1993.
PERIODICALS
Downey, T. J., A. L. Champeaux, and A. B. Silva. "AlloDerm Tympanoplasty of Tympanic Membrane Perforations." American Journal of Otolaryngology 24 (January/February 2003): 6-13.
Duckert, L. G., K. H. Makielski, and J. Helms. "Prolonged Middle Ear Ventilation with the Cartilage Shield T-tube Tympanoplasty." Otology & Neurotology 24 (March 2003): 153-7.
Oshima, T., Y. Kasuya, Y. Okumura, E. Terazawa, and S. Dohi. "Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting with Tandospirone in Adults after Tympanoplasty." Anesthesia & Analgesia 95 (November 2002): 350-1.
Sheahan, P., T. O'Dwyer, and A. Blayney. "Results of Type 1 Tympanoplasty in Children and Parental Perceptions of Outcome of Surgery." Journal of Laryngology & Otology 116 (June 2002): 430-4.
Uzun, C., M. Velepic, D. Manestar, D. Bonifacic, and T. Braut. "Cartilage Palisade Tympanoplasty, Diving and Eustachian Tube Function." Otology & Neurotology 24 (March 2003): 350-1.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. One Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. (703) 806-4444. http://www.entnet.org .
American Hearing Research Foundation. 55 E. Washington St., Suite 2022, Chicago, IL 60602. (312) 726-9670. http://www.american-hearing.org/
OTHER
"Perforated Ear Drums." Audiology Net. http://www.voice-center.com/tmperf.html .
Tympanoplasty animation. Otolaryngology Houston: http://www.ghorayeb.com/TympanoplastyPictures.html .
"What is Tympanolasty?" PennHealth. http://www.pennhealth.com/health/hi_files/balance/hi13.html .
Monique Laberge, Ph.D.
WHO PERFORMS THE PROCEDURE AND WHERE IS IT PERFORMED?
Tympanoplasty is usually performed on an outpatient basis by an otolaryngologist, a physician specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases of the ears, nose, and throat. For most adults, Type I tympanoplasty is performed in the office of the otolaryngologist with topical anesthesia at the tympanic membrane site, and subcutaneous local anesthesia injection at the graft donor site. An overnight stay is recommended if the the tympanoplasty involves ossicular replacement.
QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR
- Are there any other options aside from tympanoplasty?
- How will the surgery impact hearing?
- How long will it take to recover from the surgery?
- What are the possible complications?
- How many tympanoplasty surgeries does the surgeon perform each year?
- How successful is tympanoplasty in restoring normal hearing?
can i ask you about TORP and PORP technik
thank you
Before 6 YEARS MY WRIGHT HEAR IS COMPLETELLY DISTURB MY WIFE ITS hEARING LOSS ITS BLEEDING WE TALK DOCTOR AND HE SAY IT MUST BE SURGICAL TREATMENT I AM FROM ETHIOPIA WHERE AND HOW CAN I TREAT MY EAR.
PLEASE HELP ME SOMETHINGTREAT MY EAR
Sorry to hear that you have had so many problems with your ears.
I too have had countless ear infections since the age of 6 months, tubes put in my ears and 2 tympanoplasty surgeries.
At 48, I just had my last set put in last year. The left fell out 3 months following and the majority of my ear drum has disintegrated. Given the many many ear infections and the possibility of many more due to Eustachian Tube dysfunction, I was told, to do another tympanoplasty would create more infections. My body has disintegrated my ear drum in the attempts to regulate the air pressures without infection. So replacing the eardrum would start the cycle again. I want to be free of many attempts, and forgo the ones that fail.
So, now I am looking forward. Finding the right hearing aids for me, interesting ways to use technology to hear what I love. Aswell, I am looking into finding a stethoscope that I can use with my hearing aids. I am an RN now and love what I'm doing.
Having fun researching new hearing technologies and working out the kinks.
My motto? Never Give Up!!!
Kelly
We're going for a second opinion as recommend by my doctor but he's beginning to think that I might not be able to handle the pressure in my ear and need the hole reinserted. All I'm saying to all you parents with kids like me who have perferated eardrums/hearing loss I feel like my hearing has gone down in that ear (plus the right still hasn't been fixed) if I'm not paying attention I'll completely miss what people say or if I'm in a loud room I can't hear people talking to me. Be careful with the Tympanoplasty surgery they say that my symptoms that I'm feeling are very rare but they know it's serious because it's gone on for over a year and a half.
My parents pushed for it because they didn't want me to have a hearing aid but now I wish that they would have seen the other side because I'm in more pain than I've ever been in before. I'm not saying not to get the surgery but definitely talk about a hearing aid before you do or if you do get the surgery and your child starts to have these symptoms believe them because it took a long time for me to convince my parents and doctor of what I was feeling.