Eardrum repair

Description:
Under general anesthesia, an ear-nose-throat specialist grafts a small patch from a vein onto the eardrum to repair the tear. For problems with the small bones (ossicles), the surgeon will use an operating microscope to view and repair the chain of small bones using plastic devices or ossicles from a donor.

Indications:
If healing does not occur with antibiotics or other nonoperative treatment, a tympanoplasty may be indicated.

Chronic middle ear infections are described as:
  • 5 or more ear infections in a year, or
  • 3 or more ear infections a year over a two-year period

Signs of chronic ear infections include persistent ear pain , ear drainage , or hearing loss (over a 3-month period).

What to Expect After:
In most cases, the operation relieves pain and infection symptoms completely. Hearing loss is minor. The operation can have a less optimistic outcome if the eardrum has attached to the ossicles.

Convalescence:
Patients usually leave the hospital the same day. It is important to avoid water in the ear. Use a hair cap when showering for a few weeks.

Risks:
Risks for any anesthesia are:

Risks for any surgery are:

Additional risks include:

  • incomplete healing of the hole in the eardrum
  • damage to the small bones in the middle ear, causing hearing loss .



Cost:
The costs of any surgery varies significantly between surgeons, medical facilities, and regions of the country. Patients who are younger, sicker, or need more extensive surgery will require more intensive and expensive treatment.

Surgery charges can be separated into five parts: 1) the surgeon's fee, 2) the anesthesiologist's fee, 3) the hospital charges, which includes nursing care and the operating room, 4) the medications, and 5) additional charges.

1. Surgeon's fee: approximately $2,000
2. Anesthesiologist's fee: averages $350 to $400 per hour
3. Hospital charges: basic rate averages $1,500 to $1,800 per day (more for the intensive care unit (ICU) or private rooms)
4. Medication charges:
5. Additional charges: assisting surgeon, treatment of complications, diagnostic procedures (such as blood or X-ray exams), medical supplies, or equipment use.

Insurance coverage for surgery expenses depends on many factors and should be explored for each individual instance.