Diagnosing And Treating A Cholesteatoma

Tympanoplasty

Tympanoplasty is the surgical repair of the eardrum. If the cholesteatoma has grown through the eardrum, it may need to be surgically repaired to improve hearing. This can be performed under anesthesia but also as an outpatient procedure. Different types of repair can be done depending on factors like the patient’s age, as well as the cause, location, and size of the tear. Though most patients will regain their hearing from this surgery, it can cause hearing loss if scar tissue builds up. As with a mastoidectomy, care must be taken to avoid damaging facial muscle nerves, or facial paralysis can occur.