How To Treat And Prevent A Ruptured Eardrum

Surgical Repair

Surgery is generally recommended for patients who have not achieved healing through conservative methods. The most common type of surgical repair for a ruptured eardrum is known as a tympanoplasty. Performed under general anesthesia, the procedure typically takes up to two hours to perform. It involves taking a small piece of tissue from the patient, often from the ear cartilage or fascia, and grafting this onto the site of the rupture. This graft seals the hole in the eardrum immediately. For less severe cases, doctors may be able to perform a patch myringoplasty. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately ten minutes. Doctors normally use it if the rupture in the eardrum is small. Rather than using a skin graft to cover the rupture, myringoplasty uses gelatin or paper. These coverings stimulate the body's natural healing process. Most patients who have surgical repairs for ruptured eardrums can have these performed at an outpatient center, and they will be able to return home the same day. While recovering at home, patients may notice bloody discharge from the affected ear for the first three to five days. This is considered a normal part of recovery. The patient will generally have a follow-up appointment with their specialist within three weeks of the surgery.