Ear Drum Repair (Tympanoplasty/Myringoplasty)

A tympanoplasty is a procedure to repair a hole in the ear drum. An incision is made behind the ear and a thin layer of tissue which covers the muscle called fascia is harvested and dried. Cuts are made in the ear canal and the hole edges are freshened. The dried graft is then tucked behind the defect and absorbable packing is placed in the middle ear and in the ear canal to sandwich the graft as it heals. The healing process takes a few weeks. The purpose of repairing a hole in the ear drum is to allow one to wet their ear without concern for infection and also to improve hearing. A myringoplasty is a type of tympanoplasty which uses fat or paper to repair a small ear drum perforation. The fat is taken from the back of the ear lobe. A paper patch is used to place on a small ear drum perforation in hopes that after freshening the edges the paper will act as a scaffold to promote healing. Dr. Tamez will outline all options with you.

Fact Sheets

• Perforated Eardrum