1	Tympanoplasty Ear Drum Repair By Kevin T. Kavanagh, MD, FACS
2	Tympanoplasty Repair of a hole in the eardrum is the most common reason for surgery. It is also performed to repair the middle ear bones May be done in children over the age of four. May be done under general or local in adults.
3	Indications
4	Eardrum Holes - Causes Examples of Perforations Caused From Ear Tubes
5	Preoperative Instructions It is very important not to take aspirin, aspirin products or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents within 10 days of the surgery.
6	Steps in the Operation --Placement of Graft Video An incision is made behind ear to obtain a graft or to do the entire operation The ear canal is entered Tissue is removed along the margins of the perforation The ear canal skin and eardrum are elevated The graft is placed beneath the eardrum
7	Steps in the Operation --Placement of Graft Video Gelfoam, an absorbable material, is then placed behind the graft to hold it in position. The eardrum and ear canal skin are laid back in position. Gelfoam is placed over the eardrum and canal skin. The ear is then packed.
8	Care After The Operation --The First 10 Days In the first 24 hours, it is normal to have some oozing of blood. You may take the head dressing off the day after surgery, but leave the cloth-string packing in the ear canal. If a small amount comes out, gently replace it. Apply triple antibiotic ointment to the would, three times a day for one week. You may get the stitches wet after 24 hours.
9	Care After The Operation --The First 6 Weeks No water in ears. Do not blow your nose. Do not play wind instruments. If you sneeze, sneeze with your mouth open. Do not sky dive, swim, or ride in aircraft. NO AIR PRESSURE CHANGES.
10	How The Eardrum Will Look
11	Complications Injury or sacrifice of a small nerve which runs under the eardrum may cause the following in some patients: -- Mild numbness on the side of the tongue. -- Some loss of some taste on the side of the tongue.
12	Complications Loss of hearing. Failure of graft to take. This occurs in about 10% of the operations. Excessive scarring of the middle ear. Cholesteatoma or skin cyst of the middle ear. Ear or tongue numbness.
13	Results It may take up to 6 weeks for the hearing to improve. The body must first absorb the Gelfoam. If you had a significant hearing loss before the operation most patients will have an improvement in hearing.
14	Results Dr. Kavanagh has performed this operation over 20 years, at the University of Tennessee and in Somerset, Kentucky. As of July 2002, Dr Kavanagh has practiced in Somerset Kentucky for 10 years. 200 patients underwent surgery to have holes closed in there eardrum holes. The successful rate of closure was over 95%.
15	Contact Us Cumberland Otolaryngology Consultants 402 Bogle St. #3 Somerset, KY 42503 606-679-7426