PreOp Patient Education
Thursday, April 18, 2024

  Your Body
  Alternatives
  Medical Record
  Anesthesia
  Before Surgery
  Your Procedure
  Recovery

Myringotomy

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Alternatives

This information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. MedSelfEd, Inc. disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
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Your doctor understands that all medical care benefits from close collaboration between physician and patient -- so be sure to review, with your doctor, all risks and alternatives and make sure you understand the reasons behind the recommendation for this particular procedure.

Now let's talk in detail about the procedure your doctor has recommended. That particular recommendation was based on a number of factors:

  • the state of your health,

  • the severity of your condition,

  • an assessment of alternative treatments or procedures and finally,

  • the risks associated with doing nothing at all.

And remember, the final decision is up to you. No one can force you to undergo a surgical procedure against your will.

When it comes to treating this condition, a myringotomy is almost always the best choice. The only alternative to surgery is to do nothing and hope the problem will clear on its own.
While it's true that an ear infection may respond to antibiotics even without allowing proper drainage, the untreated fluid buildup in the ear can cause hearing loss and may increase the likelihood of a repeat infection.

Because of these risks, it's rare these days for a physician to recommend any other treatment for this kind of ear problem than a simple myringotomy.

Now I'd like to introduce you to another important member of the medical team -- the nurse.


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