Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 02/17/2009
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.
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Other Information
Tympanoplasty is reconstructive surgery for the tympanic membrane, or eardrum. There are several options for treating a perforated eardrum. If the perforation is from recent trauma, many ENTs will elect to watch and see if it heals on its own. After that, surgery may be considered. Tympanoplasty can be performed through the ear canal or through an incision behind the ear. The surgeon takes a graft from the tissues under the skin around the ear and uses it to reconstruct the eardrum. One of the most common graft sites is from the tragus. The surgery takes ½ to 1 hour if done through the ear canal and 2⅓ to 3 hours if an incision is needed. It is done under local or general anesthesia. It is done on an outpatient basis and is successful 85-90% of the time.
Other Information
In 2000 a study showed that forty-five percent of normal adults snore at least occasionally, and 25 percent are habitual snorers. Studies indicated that Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty was 75 to 100% effective in eliminating or significantly reducing snoring.
From: BNET
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