What is Tympanoplasty?

Tympanoplasty is a surgical procedure to treat perforation in the eardrum. It basically fixes the hole or tears in the eardrum or tympanic membrane that may lead to hearing loss. The eardrum is a thin membrane that vibrates when sound waves hit it. However, repeated ear infections or injury to the ear can cause a tear in the tympanic membrane which increases the risk of hearing loss. Tympanoplasty is done as an outpatient procedure where the patient can walk out of the hospital on the same day of surgery if the doctor suspects no complications. Our experienced ENT surgeons also provide comprehensive treatment to ensure minimal risks and complications during the surgery. Contact us to know more about the different healthcare facilities in your city and book an appointment with the best ENT surgeons near you.

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MBBS, MS - ENT

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  • Otoscopy
  • Tuning fork
  • Tympanometry
  • Audiology exam
  • Sample of ear discharge
  • Otomicroscopy for identification of small perforations
Tympanoplasty is performed if the eardrum is significantly ruptured or in case of a chronic ear infection. Tympanoplasty is recommended when medications are ineffective against infections or perforation. The doctor gives anesthesia to the patient before the surgery to ensure they don’t feel any pain during the procedure. The ENT surgeon uses a precision laser to remove excess tissues that may have built up in the ear and grafts the tissue in the hole in the eardrum to close it. The procedure involves tiny incisions behind the ear to access the eardrum.
  • Dizziness
  • Damage to the facial nerve or the nerve that controls your sense of taste
  • Damage to the middle ear bone that can cause hearing loss
  • Incomplete healing of the hole in your eardrum
  • Cholesteatoma, which is an abnormal skin growth behind your eardrum
  • Avoid blowing your nose too hard as it can put pressure on the eardrum.
  • You can put warm compresses on the ear with a light hand to reduce the ear pain and swelling.
  • Take prescribed medications by the doctor to relieve yourself of any discomfort or pain during the recovery period.
  • Avoid swimming or a long shower to prevent water from entering your ear.
  • Avoid air travel immediately after the tympanoplasty.

Frequently Asked Question

Tympanoplasty can take anywhere between 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the complexity of perforation and the surgical expertise of the ENT surgeon.

No, tympanoplasty does not cause pain since the procedure is done under the effects of anesthesia. The patient is administered with anesthesia before the procedure which sedates or makes the patient fall asleep. This ensures a painless experience.
Tympanoplasty treats the following conditions -
  • Hearing loss
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
  • Spinning sensation (vertigo)
  • Pus-filled discharge from the ear
Tympanoplasty is done to correct the perforation in the eardrum. Perforation in the eardrum refers to the rupture or a tear in the thin tissue that separates the ear canal from the eardrum. A ruptured eardrum can result in hearing loss and make your middle ear vulnerable to infections. The ENT specialist will most likely recommend tympanoplasty in such cases.
There are five types of techniques used to repair perforated eardrums -
  • Type I Tympanoplasty - Repair of the only tympanic membrane without any abnormality of the middle ear.
  • Type II Tympanoplasty: Repair of the tympanic membrane and middle ear when the malleus is eroded.
  • Type III Tympanoplasty: Repair of the tympanic membrane onto the stapes head when the malleus and incus have defects.
  • Type IV Tympanoplasty: the tympanic membrane is grafted to the stapes footplate, which is movable.
  • Type V Tympanoplasty: It is used when a footplate of stapes is fixed.
Perforation in the eardrum can be avoided by the following methods -
  • Type I Tympanoplasty - Repair of the only tympanic membrane without any abnormality of the middle ear.
  • Type II Tympanoplasty: Repair of the tympanic membrane and middle ear when the malleus is eroded.
  • Type III Tympanoplasty: Repair of the tympanic membrane onto the stapes head when the malleus and incus have defects.
  • Type IV Tympanoplasty: the tympanic membrane is grafted to the stapes footplate, which is movable.
  • Type V Tympanoplasty: It is used when a footplate of stapes is fixed.
Consider the following factors while choosing the best hospital for Tympanoplasty -
  • Patient reviews
  • The reputation of the doctor
  • Availability of the ENT surgeon on the day of surgery
  • Experience of the ENT specialist
  • Number of Tympanoplasty surgeries done by the ENT specialist
  • Track record/success rate of the hospital in conducting Tympanoplasty surgeries
The cost of Tympanoplasty in India can vary from one location to another. It also depends on the medical condition of the patient and the availability of surgical techniques. The cost of Tympanoplasty in India usually starts from Rs. 40,000 and can go up to Rs. 60,000. However, the overall cost of the surgery can vary depending on several factors and location.
Several factors that can affect the cost of Tympanoplasty in are -
  • Location (city)
  • Selection of the healthcare facility
  • Cost of diagnostic tests
  • Consultation fee of the ENT doctor
  • Expertise of the ENT surgeon
  • Hospital stay (if required)
  • Cost of anesthesiologist
  • Cost of medications
  • Post-consultation charges
  • Insurance coverage
Most insurance companies cover the cost of tympanoplasty partially or entirely if the surgery is a medical necessity. Since perforation in the ear can cause permanent hearing loss, therefore, tympanoplasty may become necessary. However, insurance coverage depends on the insurance policy and the terms and conditions set by the insurance provider.

Complications of prolonged perforation of the eardrum 

A perforated eardrum can cause several complications such as – 

  • Hearing loss – A rupture in the eardrum can be risky if it is left untreated for too long. The size and location of the tear usually affect the extent of hearing loss. A prolonged perforated eardrum can also cause permanent hearing loss. 
  • Frequent ear infections – A perforation in the ear allows the accumulation of bacteria in the ear. This results in frequent ear infections that may worsen the perforation in the eardrum. Sometimes, chronic infections can also lead to hearing loss. 
  • Middle ear cyst – Prolonged infections often lead to the formation of cysts that mainly comprises skin cells and debris that develop in the middle ear. The cyst is usually a long-term result of eardrum rupture where the ear debris can pass into the middle ear if there is a hole in the eardrum. 

Cost of tympanoplasty in major cities in India 

Here is a breakdown of the cost of tympanoplasty in major cities in India. This cost range should be taken only for reference purposes since the actual cost can vary depending on several factors such as location, selection of healthcare facility, selection of the healthcare facility, cost of diagnostic tests, consultation fee of the ENT specialist, hospital stay (if required), etc. 

City

Cost of tympanoplasty 

Delhi (NCR)

Rs. 48, 000 – Rs. 55, 000

Bangalore 

Rs. 45, 000 – Rs. 56,000
Mumbai 

Rs. 54,000 – Rs 64,000

Kolkata

Rs. 50, 000 – Rs. 60,000

Chennai 

Rs. 45,000 – Rs. 55,000

Indore 

Rs. 45, 000 – Rs. 56,000

Different tympanoplasty techniques used to treat a ruptured eardrum

Different techniques are used during tympanoplasty that can depend on the severity of the perforation and preference of the surgeon. Some of the surgical methods to treat perforated eardrum are – 

  • Patch TympanoplastyIt is a minor procedure where the ENT surgeons place a small patch over the hole in the eardrum. The procedure usually takes a few minutes to complete with almost no post-surgery complications.
  • Fat TympanoplastyIn this procedure, the surgeon freezes the ear lobe to remove a small amount of fat tissue. The fat tissue is then placed in the eardrum through the hole. This technique can roughly take 15 minutes, depending on the surgical expertise of the surgeon.
  • Medial TympanoplastyThis procedure is slightly complex as it involves minimal incisions behind the ear to access the eardrum. The surgeon then lifts the eardrum to graft the tissue under it. The whole procedure can take around 30 minutes to one hour to complete. 
  • Lateral Tympanoplasty This technique is used when the hole in the eardrum is significantly large or other surgical methods are ineffective against the perforation. The surgeon makes an incision behind the ear to remove the eardrum. A new eardrum formed from a tissue graft is then implanted back into the ear. The duration of such type of surgery usually takes up to 2 hours.

What to expect after the Tympanoplasty surgery? 

You will be shifted to the observation room to see the recovery process, where your health will be monitored after the procedure. You may feel dizzy as the effect of anesthesia begins to wear off. You may feel slight discomfort around the area of the incision. A dedicated nurse will monitor your vitals to check your recovery process after the surgery. 

You may be discharged within 24 hours of surgery if the doctor sees significant recovery with no signs of complications. There may be swelling, redness, or discomfort around the surgical site, which will subside by prescribing medications by your doctor. The doctor will prescribe you medications and post-recovery tips for smooth recovery. You may be asked for a follow-up visit within a week to check your progress. 

Book an appointment for your deviated septum with the top ENT specialist today.

You can fill out the appointment form on our website with your details. Our staff will get in touch with you at the earliest and gather necessary inputs from your end. An appointment will be fixed with the consecutive ENT specialist according to your schedule, and a nominal consultation fee will be charged. 

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