Tympanoplasty

Dr. Vibhor Malhotra, a highly skilled ENT specialist with expertise in otology and cochlear implants, offers advanced surgical solutions for ear conditions that affect hearing and quality of life. Among these, Tympanoplasty is one of the most common and effective procedures performed to repair a damaged eardrum and restore normal hearing. With his extensive experience in otology and years of surgical training at renowned institutions like Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru, and Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, Dr. Malhotra ensures precise and safe ear surgeries with excellent recovery outcomes.

What is Tympanoplasty?
Tympanoplasty is a surgical procedure to repair a perforated or torn eardrum (tympanic membrane). The eardrum is a thin tissue that separates the outer ear from the middle ear and plays a crucial role in hearing. When the eardrum is damaged due to infection, trauma, or chronic ear disease, it can lead to hearing loss, ear discharge, or repeated infections. Tympanoplasty restores the integrity of the eardrum and helps improve hearing function.

Why does it happen?
Eardrum perforation or damage can result from repeated ear infections (chronic otitis media), injury from ear cleaning objects, exposure to loud blasts, or untreated infections. Persistent perforations may lead to recurrent discharge, pain, or gradual hearing loss. When medication fails to heal the membrane naturally, surgical repair through tympanoplasty becomes necessary to prevent further complications and restore normal ear function.

Procedure:
The surgery is usually performed under local or general anaesthesia. Dr. Vibhor Malhotra begins by carefully examining the ear and accessing the eardrum through the ear canal or a small incision behind the ear. A graft, typically taken from the patient’s own tissue (such as the fascia from behind the ear), is placed to cover the perforation. The graft helps in natural healing and regeneration of the eardrum. The procedure usually takes 1–2 hours, and most patients can return home the same day. Post-surgery, patients are advised to keep the ear dry and avoid nose blowing or heavy activity for a few weeks. With expert hands like Dr. Malhotra’s, tympanoplasty offers excellent success rates in restoring hearing and preventing recurrent infections.