Ear
Disorders
Myringotomy
with Tube
Placement
Myringotomy
means a
surgically-created
hole in the
ear drum.
After a
myringotomy
is performed
a tube is
often placed
in the hole
to keep it
open. This
procedure is
designed to
allow
equalization
of pressure
between the
middle ear
space and
the outside
environment.
Myringotomy
and tube
placement
are
necessary
when the
Eustachian
tube
(natural
ventilation
duct between
the throat
and middle
ear) does
not function
properly.
Generally,
the pressure
equalizing
tube placed
at the time
of surgery
remains in
the ear drum
anywhere
between 4-18
months.
Variable ear
drum healing
and
different
types of
tubes can
make this
duration
shorter or
longer. The
procedure is
usually
performed
under local
anesthesia
(numbing
medication
only) in
adults and
general
anesthesia
(completely
asleep) in
children.
Tympanoplasty
(ear drum
reconstruction)
More
information
coming soon
... check
back.
Tympanoplasty
with
Mastoidectomy
More
information
coming soon
... check
back.
Otitis
Externa
Otitis
externa or
"swimmers
ear" is a
bacterial or
fungal
infection of
the ear
canal skin.
When water
is retained
in the ear
canal for
prolonged
periods of
time,
microbial
growth is
promoted.
This results
in painful
inflammation
of the thin
ear canal
skin. Small
ear canals,
eczematous
(itchy with
flaking
skin) ear
canals and
ear wax
accumulation
are risk
factors for
otitis
externa
because
these
conditions
prevent
adequate
drainage or
evaporation
of moisture
from the
canal.
Staphylococcus
and
Pseudomonas
bacterial
species are
the most
common
organisms
found
causing
otitis
externa.
Fungal
infections,
which are
less common,
are usually
attributed
to
Aspergillus
species and
Candida
(yeast).
Treatment of
otitis
externa
involves 1)
thoroughly
cleaning the
ear canal
(accomplished
in your ENT
doctor's
office with
a microscope
and small
suction
instrument),
2)
eliminating
the
overgrowth
of microbes
(antibacterial
or
antifungal
agents), 3)
pain
management
and 4)
maintaining
a relatively
dry ear
canal.
Prevent
moisture in
the ear
canal:
Follow up
with your
ENT doctor
periodically
to address
wax and dead
skin build
up in the
ear canal.
Removing
this
material
will help
prevent
moisture
accumulation
in the
canal. After
showering or
swimming
gently wipe
excess water
from the
opening of
the ear
canal (NOT
the inside
of the ear
canal) with
a tissue.
Avoid using
cotton-tip
applicators
(such as
Q-tips®) in
the ear
canal. The
cotton-tips
can push wax
and debris
further into
the ear
canal and
cause small
breaks in
the delicate
ear canal
skin
providing an
opportunity
for bacteria
and fungus
to cause
infection).
Waving a
hair dryer a
few to
several
inches from
the ear
canal
opening can
help dry the
canal. Be
careful not
to burn your
ear with the
dryer.
Remember to
discuss
simple and
effective
home
remedies to
prevent
recurrent
otitis
externa with
your ENT
doctor.
