Tympanoplasty Techniques

Tympanoplasty Techniques

Tympanoplasty Techniques

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Tympanoplasty: Introduction & Goals - Drumming Up Repairs

  • Definition: Surgical reconstruction of the tympanic membrane (TM) ± ossicular chain.
  • Goals:
    • Restore TM integrity (watertight seal).
    • Improve hearing by re-establishing sound conduction.
    • Create a dry, safe, self-cleaning middle ear.
  • Indications: TM perforations, ossicular discontinuity, chronic otitis media with perforation.
  • Basic Classification (Wullstein): Types I-V (details follow).

Tympanoplasty: Ruptured Eardrum and Graft Repair

⭐ The primary aims are to achieve a waterproof seal of the middle ear and to restore or improve hearing function if compromised by the perforation or ossicular damage.

Tympanoplasty: Pre-Op Assessment - Ears to Success

  • History: Ear discharge (duration, type), hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, prior surgeries, comorbidities.
  • Examination:
    • Otomicroscopy/Otoscopy: TM perforation (site, size), middle ear status (dry/wet), ossicular chain integrity.
    • Tuning Fork Tests: Rinne, Weber (assess hearing type).
    • Nasal & PNS exam: Rule out contributing factors.
  • Investigations:
    • Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA): Quantify hearing loss, Air-Bone (A-B) gap.
    • X-ray Mastoids/HRCT temporal bone (if cholesteatoma/complications suspected).
    • Ear swab for culture/sensitivity (if active discharge).
  • Anaesthesia fitness. Tympanoplasty Graft Prep and Placement

⭐ A dry ear for at least 6 weeks is generally preferred before tympanoplasty to maximize graft success rates and reduce infection risk.

Tympanoplasty: Grafts & Types - Perfect Patchwork

  • Common Grafts:
    • Temporalis Fascia (most common)
    • Perichondrium (tragal, conchal)
    • Cartilage (tragal, conchal)
    • Vein grafts
    • Fat (small perforations)
  • Wullstein Classification (Types):
    • Type I (Myringoplasty): Repair of TM perforation. Ossicles intact & mobile.
    • Type II: TM defect + malleus erosion. Graft to incus or malleus remnant.
    • Type III: Malleus & incus eroded. Graft to stapes head (columella effect).
    • Type IV: Ossicular chain destroyed (except stapes footplate). Graft to mobile footplate, shields round window.
    • Type V: Stapes fixed. Fenestration of horizontal SCC (historical).

Wullstein Classification of Tympanoplasty

⭐ Temporalis fascia is the most popular graft material due to its low metabolic rate, good vascularity, and structural similarity to the tympanic membrane.

Tympanoplasty: Surgical Techniques - Ear's Inner Workings

  • Surgical Approaches: Chosen by perforation (site/size) & EAC anatomy.
    • Transcanal: Direct speculum view; for small, uncomplicated posterior perforations.
    • Endaural: Incisions within meatus (e.g., Lempert's); for anterior perforations, minor canalplasty.
    • Postauricular (Wilde's): Incision behind ear; widest exposure for all perforations, revisions, mastoidectomy.
  • Graft Placement Techniques:
    • Overlay (Lateral): Graft lateral to de-epithelialized annulus/TM remnant. Risk: blunting, lateralization, delayed healing.
    • Underlay (Medial): Graft medial to annulus & TM remnant/malleus. Preferred; better vascularity, lower complication risk.

      ⭐ Underlay technique preferred: success >90%, less blunting/lateralization. Tympanoplasty techniques and Wullstein classification

Tympanoplasty: Post-Op & Complications - Healing Harmonies

  • Post-Op Care:
    • Ear canal pack; keep dry.
    • Systemic antibiotics, analgesics.
    • Avoid: straining, nose blowing, water entry, air travel.
    • Pack removal: 1-3 weeks.
  • Healing & Follow-up:
    • Graft status check: pink, intact.
    • Audiometry: 6-8 weeks post-op to assess hearing gain.
  • Complications:
    • Early: Infection, hematoma, graft displacement, pain, dizziness.
    • Late: Graft failure, reperforation, cholesteatoma, persistent conductive/sensorineural hearing loss.
    • Rare: Facial nerve injury, taste disturbance (chorda tympani).

⭐ Graft failure is the most common complication following tympanoplasty, often due to infection or poor eustachian tube function.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Wullstein classification (Types I-V) guides tympanoplasty approach.
  • Temporalis fascia is the most common autologous graft.
  • Underlay technique: Medial placement, good for anterior perforations, better vascularity.
  • Overlay technique: Lateral placement, risks anterior blunting & graft lateralization.
  • Cartilage grafts offer stability in atelectatic ears & revisions.
  • Ossiculoplasty (PORP/TORP) may be combined for hearing restoration.
  • Pre-requisites: Dry ear, good Eustachian tube function.

Practice Questions: Tympanoplasty Techniques

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Columellar tympanoplasty is -

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Flashcards: Tympanoplasty Techniques

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Type _____ tympanoplasty is done when all the ossicles are intact

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Type _____ tympanoplasty is done when all the ossicles are intact

I

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