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Ear Surgical Procedures Patient Awareness Guide

This guide provides an overview of common ear surgical procedures, including preoperative preparation, basic steps of the operation, and post-operative care. The information is for patient awareness and education only. For personalized advice, always consult your ENT specialist.

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Myringotomy with Grommet (Ventilation Tube) Insertion

Preoperative Preparation

  • Complete ENT evaluation including hearing test (audiogram).
  • Fasting as per anesthetist’s advice.
  • Consent for general anesthesia (usually in children).

Operation Details

  • Patient is given anesthesia.
  • A small incision is made in the eardrum (myringotomy).
  • Middle ear fluid is suctioned out.
  • A small ventilation tube (grommet) is inserted into the eardrum.

Post operative Care

  • Avoid water entry into the ear (use ear protection during bathing/swimming).
  • Follow-up visits for tube position and function.
  • The tube usually falls out on its own after a few months.

Tympanoplasty (Eardrum Repair Surgery)

Preoperative Preparation

  • Hearing tests and ear examination.
  • Control of any ear infection before surgery.
  • Routine pre-anesthesia investigations.

Operation Details

  • Performed under general or local anesthesia.
  • The surgeon lifts the ear canal skin and repairs the perforation with a graft (usually taken from patient’s own tissue).
  • Middle ear bones are checked and reconstructed if necessary.

Post operative Care

  • Keep the operated ear dry.
  • Avoid nose blowing and heavy lifting for few weeks.
  • Regular ENT follow-up to check graft healing.

Mastoidectomy (for Chronic Ear Infection or Cholesteatoma)

Preoperative Preparation

  • Hearing assessment and imaging (CT scan of temporal bone).
  • Discussion regarding possible risks (hearing loss, facial nerve injury).
  • Routine blood tests and anesthesia fitness.

Operation Details

  • Performed under general anesthesia.
  • Behind-the-ear incision is made.
  • Infected bone and disease (cholesteatoma) are removed from mastoid area.
  • Ear canal and middle ear are reconstructed as required. 

Post operative Care

  • Performed under general anesthesia.
  • Behind-the-ear incision is made.
  • Infected bone and disease (cholesteatoma) are removed from mastoid area.
  • Ear canal and middle ear are reconstructed as required. 

Stapedectomy (for Otosclerosis and Hearing Loss)

Preoperative Preparation

  • Detailed hearing tests and CT scan if required.
  • Discussion about hearing improvement expectations.
  • Routine anesthesia clearance.

Operation Details

  • Usually done under local or general anesthesia.
  • The fixed stapes bone is partially removed.
  • A prosthesis is placed to restore sound conduction.

Post operative Care

  • Usually done under local or general anesthesia.
  • The fixed stapes bone is partially removed.
  • A prosthesis is placed to restore sound conduction.