Chances of successful Tympanoplasty?

[divingsurfari]

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Hi, further to my burst ear drum (Bubbles coming from ear and injury) I'm currently considering the option of a tympanoplast.

The Dr. told me the position of the 'very small' hole is in the middle of the eardrum; a 'good' position for operational success likelihood. He seemed confident and said he was happy to operate. However, he stated there was a small possibility of losing my hearing and/or taste!!!. Needless to say, this is an undesirable outcome and I'm taking my time deciding.

From my own feeling, the area of the trauma goes beyond the eardrum and along the eustachian tube although the occasional pain seems to be localised around the hole. I'm currently not experiencing any major pain or discomfort from the injury but I do occasionally have pain around the hole and the area feels weak.

I'd like to close the hole but is it worth the risk?​

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I made this post on another board on this site a while back. It's been more than 18 months. The situation is that the affected ear is stable i.e. not much change from when I made the original postings but I've noticed a reaction in my right ear from time to time. Originally, there were no issues in the right ear. Back when I first saw the specialists they asked me if there was pain in the 'good ear' i.e. they seemed to think that when there are problems with one ear, more than likely the other will be affected. So, this problems seems to have developed. I'm due to see the specialist again soon but was hoping for opinions on the tympanoplasty operation, which must be common amongst divers?

Am I being paranoid when I hear the stories about becoming deaf or should I take heed? I guess the Dr. has to tell me that. Thanks.

I'm a bit surprised there are more threads on here about this issue. Maybe someone can recommend a better website/forum for this discussion? Thanks.

 

[rsingler]

@doctormike

 

[doctormike]

Not really much to add here, since I haven't seen you in person, but those complications are pretty rare, and tympanoplasty in experienced hands has a high success rate!

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

Best of luck...

 

[divingsurfari]

Not really much to add here, since I haven't seen you in person, but those complications are pretty rare, and tympanoplasty in experienced hands has a high success rate!

That's reassuring. I watched a youtube vid of the operation and I was surprised at how much cutting was involved.

If the operation is unsuccessful i.e. the hole doesn't close for whatever reason, then that's one thing (I can handle that) but going deaf and/or losing my taste is a definite NO NO.

 

[doctormike]

Yeah, there is a lot of variability in what the term "tympanoplasty" means, especially in patient materials. It can be anything from a minor 10 minute operation where you just freshen up the edges of the perforation and put in a piece of fat (which really doesn't have those risks), to a big operation which involves lifting up the eardrum, fixing problems with the bones in the middle ear, and putting in multiple fascia and cartilage grafts. So the devil is really in the details - have that conversation with your surgeon...

Good luck!

 

[divingsurfari]

It can be anything from a minor 10 minute operation where you just freshen up the edges of the perforation and put in a piece of fat (which really doesn't have those risks)

When the first consultant described the possible procedure for me he described something similar to what you've stated here (he didn't say 'fat' but a plaster like material). If I remember correctly, he said the hole would be widened to allow for insertion of the 'plaster' on to inner side (brain side) of the ear drum. Assuming the hole closes, the plaster material would eventually break down and disappear.

Good to hear you think this type of operation is low risk. Obviously, the consultant has to tell me the worst case scenario whatever the odds.

 

[doctormike]

When the first consultant described the possible procedure for me he described something similar to what you've stated here (he didn't say 'fat' but a plaster like material). If I remember correctly, he said the hole would be widened to allow for insertion of the 'plaster' on to inner side (brain side) of the ear drum. Assuming the hole closes, the plaster material would eventually break down and disappear.

Good to hear you think this type of operation is low risk. Obviously, the consultant has to tell me the worst case scenario whatever the odds.

Sounds good... keep us posted!

 

[divingsurfari]

Hi, I saw the senior consultant. My hearing and typhanogram tests were fine. The consultant had a good look in the ear. He said he couldn't see any hole. I guess that's all good but I'm not going to be diving into the water any time soon as the whole area still feels weak. I still get some ringing in the ear but nothing to be overtly concerned about. Thanks for the support and hopefully, this is the end of the thread.