Myringoplasty (Tavistock Hospital)
Date issued: November 2024
For review: November 2026
Ref: A-654/TA/ENT/Myringoplasty
PDF: Myringoplasty (Tavistock Hospital) [pdf] 210KB
Rest and Activity
When you go home you are advised to rest quietly. Do not fulfil any special engagements on that day. If you are still sore you should continue to rest until you feel better. This could take a few days. If you do not improve you should contact your G.P.
Pain
It is normal to have some discomfort for the first day or two after your operation. You will usually be given some pain-relieving tablets (analgesia) to take home with you, unless you have your own supply.
Wound Care
The surgeon will usually make an incision behind your ear in order to perform this operation. This is usually stitched with dissolvable stitches, but you will be informed if this is not the case. Dissolvable stitches can take several weeks to dissolve completely, therefore please try to keep the area clean and dry for 7 days. It can be a little sore, as with any wound, but if the discomfort increases or the wound becomes inflamed, see your G.P or Practice Nurse for advice.
Dressings
After your operation, your ear will be full of a packing material, so your hearing will be a lot worse. You may also have a turban style bandage covering the ear. The bandage is removed prior to discharge or the following day. The packing material will stay in place until you are seen by the surgeon in out-patients. You must keep the ear clean and dry until this time and usually up to six weeks after your operation.
Follow-up
Your appointments to be seen in the ENT out-patients department will be sent to you in the post. The packing material in your ear will be removed at the first appointment, usually two weeks after surgery, when you will be given ear drops to use for a week. A second appointment will be made for 4-6 weeks after surgery when your ear drum will be examined, and a hearing test performed.
Time Off Work
We normally recommend that patients take 1 week out of their normal schedule to recover fully from the effects of surgery.
For the first six weeks following surgery the graft membrane is very fragile and sensitive to pressure changes. Patients must not allow any water to enter the ear during this period, please do not fly or travel by train during this time. (Trains going through tunnels can make a pressure wave that could damage the graft)
Potential Complications
Pain: Occurs with every operation, although Myringoplasty is not particularly painful. Therefore, if you do experience severe pain, please refer to the list of contacts below.
Infection: This is not a common occurrence. The wound behind the ear can become red and swollen and you will need to seek advice from your G.P. if this happens.
Taste Disturbance: The nerve that picks up the taste sensations runs through the eardrum and can be affected by the operation, but this is usually short-lived.
If you have any problems
If non-urgent problems occur in the first 72 hours and you need information or advice:
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Please ring Tavistock Hospital on 01752 436100 or the ENT Specialist Nurse on 01752 763182
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Out of hours: Contact NHS 111
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After 72 Hours: Contact your own GP or 111
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If you notice any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, heat, odorous discharge or pain, please contact your G.P. If you do develop an infection within two weeks of your surgery, please let us know by calling 01752 436100.
In an emergency
Dial 999 and ask for an ambulance.
