Tympanoplasty: microsurgical restoration of the eardrum and hearing

The eardrum is a thin but extremely important membrane. It not only transmits sound waves, providing us with hearing, but also serves as a reliable barrier protecting the middle ear from water, bacteria, and dirt. If a persistent hole (perforation) forms in the eardrum, the patient’s life turns into constant stress: the ear often discharges pus, hearing decreases, and ordinary hair washing or swimming in a pool becomes dangerous.

Drops and ointments cannot “heal” a large hole. The only effective solution is tympanoplasty — a delicate microsurgical operation to restore the integrity of the eardrum, successfully performed by leading ENT surgeons at St. Luke’s Clinic.

When is tympanoplasty necessary? (Indications)

The operation is prescribed by an otolaryngologist after a detailed examination (otoscopy) and audiometry. The main reasons for surgical intervention are:

• Chronic suppurative otitis media: inflammation in which pus is periodically or constantly discharged from the ear, and the hole in the eardrum does not close on its own.
• Traumatic perforation: rupture of the eardrum due to a blow to the ear, acoustic trauma (explosion), pressure changes (barotrauma), or deep ear cleaning with a cotton swab.
• Hearing loss: hearing impairment caused by the absence of a membrane that should capture sounds.
• Presence of cholesteatoma: a dangerous tumor-like formation that destroys bone (in this case, surgery is vital and is combined with complete cleaning of the middle ear cavity).

How we restore hearing: features of the operation at St. Luke’s Clinic

Tympanoplasty is not just “sewing up a hole.” It is a complex architectural restoration of the auditory system. We use advanced European techniques to achieve 100% results.

1. Own tissues — guarantee of engraftment: To close the eardrum defect, the surgeon uses a microscopic flap of the patient’s own tissue (most often it is the temporalis fascia or perichondrium from the auricle). Since this is “native” material, the body never rejects it.
2. Jewelry precision: The operation is performed under a powerful operating microscope or endoscope. The surgeon works with micro-instruments, creating a new membrane millimeter by millimeter.
3. Ossicle check: If during the operation the doctor finds that chronic pus has destroyed the auditory ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes), he immediately reconstructs them (ossiculoplasty) using modern titanium micro-prostheses.
4. Comfortable anesthesia: The intervention is performed under general anesthesia (medication-induced sleep) or under high-quality local anesthesia with sedation. You will not feel any pain.

Double effect of the operation

By undergoing tympanoplasty, you get two vital results at once:

• Sanitation (cleaning): The ear is permanently isolated from the external environment. You will no longer suffer from constant purulent discharge, the risk of infection entering the brain will disappear, and you will again be able to swim freely and wash your hair without covering your ear with cotton wool.
• Hearing improvement: The new, intact eardrum will again vibrate correctly, returning your ability to hear all the sounds of the world.

Recovery and rehabilitation

After the operation, special absorbable sponges or tampons remain in the ear canal, holding the “new” eardrum in place. The stay in our cozy hospital usually lasts only 1-2 days.

The true result (hearing improvement) is felt by the patient after 3-4 weeks, when the special materials in the ear are completely absorbed, and the eardrum takes root.

For successful healing, the following are strictly prohibited for a month:

• Blowing your nose (mucus should be carefully drawn in or the nose should be rinsed).
• Sneezing with an open mouth (to avoid creating pressure in the ears).
• Flying on an airplane and diving.
• Allowing water to enter the operated ear.

Do not put up with hearing loss and constant inflammation! Schedule an expert microscopic ear diagnosis with the surgeons at St. Luke’s Clinic. We will help you return to a full life.