Indications

Procedure

Entire surgery through ear canal or via incision behind the ear, depending on the perforation size and position
Ear canal skin and eardrum is lifted up gently
Middle ear and ossicles are inspected to ensure no other pathology
Soft tissue from behind the ear or cartilage from the ear itself is harvested for a graft
Graft is used to repair the perforated eardrum
Small absorbable sponge or a ribbon gauze is packed in the ear canal
Skin sutured with absorbable sutures
Dressing onto ear and pressure bandage around head to prevent bleeding

Mild pain and discomfort for a few days to a week for which the doctor will give pain medication
Bandage will be removed the next day or after one week on your follow up appointment
Thereafter clean wound with Savlon or salt diluted in lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel
The doctor might give you an antibiotic drop to instill after one week if necessary
Avoid blowing your nose or any form of straining (exercise, lifting heavy objects, difficulty in passing stool, repeated coughing) so as not to displace the newly grafted eardrum. If you have a tendency to become constipated, please use a stool softener or ask the doctor to prescribe you one
Avoid water in ears for two weeks (or if otherwise stated by the doctor), thereafter bath and swim as normal
Avoid high altitudes eg. air travel or mountains or diving for one month
The sponge in the ear canal will dissolve slowly over a month and will be removed at your one month follow up appointment

Minimal bleeding
Damage to ear canal skin possibly leading to narrowing of ear canal
Scar at incision site
Secondary infection of scar or middle ear
Failure of graft leading to persistent perforation in the eardrum
Very rarely eardrum can grow inwards and cause a keratin pocket called cholesteatoma
Very rarely hearing or balance impairment due to the fact that the eardrum is directly connected to the ossicles and the inner ear
Sore throat from tube to ventilate during anaesthesia
Anaesthetic risks