Treatment of eardrum rupture in children in Türkiye

Eardrum or tympanic membrane is a thin membrane deep in the ear canal that separates the outer ear from the middle ear and works to transmit sound from the air medium to the inside of the bones of the middle ear when it vibrates. It allows people to hear. Several things cause perforation of the eardrum, such as a strong infection in the ear, or due to the introduction of solid pieces in the hearing canal, or from a shock resulting from pressure to clean the depth of the ear canal.

Does perforation of the eardrum cause hearing loss?

Many parents worry about permanent hearing loss caused by a perforated eardrum, but many perforations do not cause even temporary hearing loss. To elaborate, the impact of perforations on hearing depends on the size of the perforation and where it is located in the eardrum. Most perforations are relatively small and in specific areas do not affect hearing. However, large holes (image 1) and even some smaller holes can cause temporary hearing loss, although they do not cause total deafness . Hearing function returns to normal (or very close to normal) after repair of the perforation.

Do you want to repair all perforations of the eardrum?

Some holes do not require any special processing. For example, when there is a severe ear infection and perforation of the eardrum resulting from that infection, fluids leak out through the hole (photo 2). But the hole usually closes on its own after a few days, but when the infection has persisted for a period of time, you may need additional treatment with medications or ear drops. Then, he looks at whether the hole closed on its own or not and the extent of its effect on the sense of hearing. If the hole remains present for more than 3 months after the infection clears, it is unlikely that it will close on its own. At that time, the doctor will recommend surgical treatment of a ruptured eardrum after considering the patient’s age, history of infection, other ear problems, and the degree of hearing loss.

How is a ruptured eardrum in children treated?

Surgical treatment includes two main methods: Tympanoplasty and tympanoplasty are helped by an otolaryngologist which method is best for the child. Both operations are performed by an ENT surgeon in the operating room under general anesthesia .

eardrum patches:

The procedure relies on covering the eardrum hole with a material that temporarily seals the hole to encourage the natural closing process. The material can be paper, a piece of gelatin, or a piece of fat taken from the earlobe. The entire procedure takes between 5 and 10 minutes and targets the relatively small holes in the center of the eardrum. The graft dissolves two to three months after the operation  

Tympanoplasty:

This is the most common and longest-running procedure to repair a perforated eardrum and uses a material similar in structure to the eardrum membrane. This material is cartilage taken from the outer part of the ear or connective tissue, called the fascia, removed from just below the skin behind the ear.

During the operation, the eardrum is lifted like a trap door and the material used to repair the hole is slid behind the eardrum (photo 3).

Then the material is reinforced from the back with soluble supportive fillers (photo 4) within 3 months and during this time the eardrum heals and hearing returns to normal.

Sometimes a pediatric tympanoplasty is performed entirely through the ear canal without the need for a large incision in the back of the ear, but many children have small ear canals that are difficult to operate through. Or sometimes the hole is too big to be seen completely through the ear canal in which case a larger incision is made behind the ear (image 5) in order to expand the surgical work area and although a larger incision involves more healing and recovery, it improves the success of the operation It is also difficult to see the scar and it is hidden from view after the expiry of the healing period.

What are the expectations after surgery?

The child wakes up in the recovery room after surgery and this takes 45 minutes to an hour until the anesthesia wears off, and many children go home the same day of surgery. However, it may be necessary to stay overnight in rare cases (for example, if the child has nausea or vomiting)

The child may have a bloody discharge or drainage from the ear canal for a few days after surgery. This is normal and not a cause for concern. Ear pain and soreness are also common, but these symptoms disappear within the first three to five days after surgery.

Baby care after surgery?

• The ear canal must be kept clean and dry until revision after 3 weeks.
• Keep a clean piece of cotton in the ear canal.
• Covering the ear with an ointment (Bacitracin, Vaseline, or triple antibiotic ointment) while showering.
• The ear is covered with a gauze bandage in the event that he undergoes tympanoplasty behind the ear, and it is removed the day after the surgery.
• Keep the back of the ear dry for 3 days after surgery.
• Vigorous exercise (such as swimming and running) should be avoided for 3 weeks.

How can I book a treatment for a ruptured eardrum in children in Türkiye?

• Free medical support on the phone: You will have a dedicated representative for your health condition who is always ready to answer your questions.
• Free consultation with a specialist doctor: Your medical representative will consult with a number of doctors and hospitals to find the best possible treatments.
• Free travel visa arrangement: We will contact the embassy in your country to assist you in obtaining a visa to visit Türkiye.
• Free itinerary planning: We will create a schedule for your medical trip to Türkiye.
• Free translation of documents and reports: We will translate medical documents and reports into Turkish on your behalf.
• Free support and monitoring: We will monitor the stages of treatment and be by your side every step of the way.
• Free instant translation: We will be with you during the treatment stages to provide translation between you and the medical team.
• Free accommodation and transportation coordination: We will book accommodation for you and your companions in Türkiye, along with transportation services.

Contact REHABTÜRK doctors for more information about the procedure and to evaluate your medical condition.

Request a Free Consultation.