PreOp Patient Education
Thursday, March 28, 2024

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Myringotomy

Insertion of Tube


Your Body

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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Before we talk about treatment, let's start with a discussion about the human body and about your medical condition.

The human ear is made up of two chambers. The inner ear and the middle ear. The middle ear is sealed off from the outside environment by the tympanic membrane - or eardrum. In a healthy ear, this membrane acts to protect the delicate interior of the ear from contamination.
Occasionally, however, allergy, infection, or other irritation can cause a buildup of pus, blood and other fluids within the middle ear. In these cases, the seal created by the eardrum acts to prevent proper drainage and can actually pose a health risk.
Symptoms can include pain - caused by the buildup of pressure - and even hearing loss. If left untreated the buildup of fluid can damage the delicate structures located behind the eardrum - leading to temporary or even permanent hearing loss.
A myringotomy is a simple procedure in which a small tube is inserted into the eardrum in order to allow fluids to drain out of the middle, reducing pressure and allowing any infection to be treated with antibiotics.

So make sure that you ask your doctor to carefully explain the reasons behind this recommendation.


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