Surgery Of The Ear

General indications for ear surgery:

  • Outer ear
    • Bony or cartilage overgrowth in the ear canal eg. Swimmer’s or surfer’s ear.
    • Repair of bat ears and other cosmetic ear surgery.
  • Middle ear
    • Grommets – discussed elsewhere
    • Ear drum repair
    • Hearing repair in certain types of deafness
    • Treatment of chronic running ear (pus)
    • Removal of certain tumors
    • Combinations of the above
  • Inner ear
    •  Removal of tumours
    • Implantation of certain hearing devices and prostheses such as cochlear implants, Bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA) etc.

How is the operation performed?

Due to the small size of the ear microscopes and endoscopes are used. Equipment is specifically engineered to suit the work in such a confined space.

What to expect:  (not applicable to grommets)

During the operation, you will be under anaesthesia and unaware of anything.  After the procedure, you will experience moderate pain.  The ear will also be covered with a bandage and a soluble plug left in the ear canal which renders you very deaf in the ear.  The bandage is generally removed after a few days and the plug left to dissolve or removed.

Water must be kept out of the ear until your doctor tells you otherwise.

You will see the doctor again for follow-up visits.

More information about specific operations can be given by your doctor.

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