Ear Surgery and the Reasons for You Might Need it

There are several kinds of ear surgery procedures that can be performed by specialists who have undergone intensive and extensive studying to perfect their practice. The main reasons for these operations are to restore or improve hearing as well as to reconstruct the appearance of the outer ear to achieve some semblance of a mature ear. The general procedure falls under micro surgery and doctors should proceed with caution.

Ear Tube Surgery

Both myringotomy and ear tube surgery are similar to each other. These are performed by a surgeon who specializes in it on children who suffer frequently from an infection in the area or when fluids accumulate here. One or two of the ear can benefit from this procedure and can be treated at the same time. A tube is placed into the ear to facilitate the drainage of fluids. The placement of the implement can last up to several years or just a few months, depending on the presence of the fluids. This type of ear surgery can also be used for adults and is not exclusively for children. In spite of this, a lot of babies and kids undergo it especially those under the age of two. Those who are prone to infections in this region are more susceptible to fluids and should be considered for this operation.

Congenital Defects

Atresia and microtia are among the most common congenital deformities of the ears. Surgeons usually prefer to operate on cases like these when the child is already around the age of six to eight years old, although there are cases when they undergo the procedure as young as three years old or as babies. Grafts from the ribs are used to reconstruct the ear and some skin grafts may also be utilized for reconstruction. The child will be under general anesthesia for this type of ear surgery. The services of a plastic surgeon may be necessary and he might have to work with an ear surgeon during this time.

Other congenital defects that affect the hearing of the individual can also undergo a form of operation. Cochlear implants are often used to restore or improve hearing. This is an intricate operation that requires a hole to be made behind the external ear and some device to be implanted into the inner ear in order for it to receive the sounds and codes that people usually hear normally. There is an external unit that is worn just behind the ear in order to receive the sounds and transmit these inside.

Stapedectomy

This ear surgery is a procedure that removes the stapes, either partially or fully, and replaces it with a prosthesis that helps to restore hearing or aid in hearing. This can be an outpatient operation and hearing of the patient is almost always restored immediately. The prosthesis is made up of stainless steel and a spongy substance that aids in hearing. This is inserted through an incision made in the middle ear when the stapes have been removed, either partially or fully.