Ear surgery

prosthesis used for severe and profound hearing loss

Otoplasty, from Ancient Greek οὖς (oûs), meaning "ear", and πλαστός (plastós), meaning "moulded", is a procedure for correcting the deformities and defects of the auricle (external ear), whether these defects are congenital conditions (e.g. microtia, anotia, etc.) or caused by trauma. Otoplastic surgeons may reshape, move, or augment the cartilaginous support framework of the auricle to correct these defects.

Tympanoplasty is the surgical operation performed to reconstruct the tympanic membrane and possibly other middle-ear structures after injury.

Stapedectomy is a surgical procedure in which the stapes bone is removed from the middle ear and replaced with a prosthesis.

A myringotomy is a surgical procedure in which an incision is created in the eardrum (tympanic membrane) to relieve pressure caused by excessive buildup of fluid, or to drain pus from the middle ear. A tympanostomy tube may be inserted through the eardrum to keep the middle ear aerated for a prolonged time and to prevent reaccumulation of fluid. Without the insertion of a tube, the incision usually heals spontaneously within two to three weeks. Depending on the type, the tube is either naturally extruded in 6 to 12 months or removed during a minor procedure.

medical device inserted into the eardrum

A mastoidectomy is a procedure performed to remove the mastoid air cells near the middle ear. The procedure is part of the treatment for mastoiditis, chronic suppurative otitis media or cholesteatoma. Additionally, it is sometimes performed as part of other procedures, such as cochlear implants, or to access the middle ear.