Myringoplasty is a surgery to close the hole in a ruptured eardrum. During the procedure, a surgeon repairs the hole by placing a graft over it. Both children and adults can have myringoplasty. Recovery typically takes one to two weeks.
Myringoplasty is a surgery done to repair a ruptured eardrum. Your eardrum (tympanic membrane) is a thin, dime-sized piece of tissue located between your middle ear and outer ear. It helps you hear by vibrating in response to sound waves.
Your eardrum can tear or rupture as a result of ear infections, head trauma, sticking objects in your ear, sudden loud noises and more. Myringoplasty repairs the hole in your eardrum and reduces your risk for further health issues such as vertigo, mastoiditis (an infection of the bone behind your ear) and, in severe cases, permanent hearing loss.
Myringoplasty is one of the most common procedures performed by otolaryngologists (specialists who treat conditions of the ear, nose and throat). Children are more likely to need myringoplasty, but sometimes, adults need the procedure, too. Most people only need myringoplasty in one ear (unilateral myringoplasty). But in some cases, people need it in both (bilateral myringoplasty).
In most cases, a ruptured eardrum heals on its own in just a few weeks. Your healthcare provider may recommend myringoplasty when you or your child:
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Surgeons use different materials to repair ruptured eardrums, including:
Your healthcare provider will give you a detailed list of preoperative instructions and tell you how to prepare for myringoplasty. In general:
Advertisement
Most of the time, providers perform myringoplasty under general anesthesia in a hospital. But some people can have it done under local anesthesia in an office setting. Ask your healthcare provider which option is best for you or your child.
During myringoplasty, your surgeon will:
Most myringoplasties take between 30 and 90 minutes to complete.
If you had general anesthesia, you’ll go to a recovery area following your procedure. Your medical team will monitor you while you wake up. In most cases, you’ll go home the same day.
Your surgeon will also go over postoperative instructions and give you prescription medications to help with your recovery.
Advertisement
Myringoplasty offers a number of benefits:
Though myringoplasty complications are rare, they can happen. Possible risks include:
Generally, it takes one to two weeks to recover after myringoplasty. Adults should plan to take at least a week off from work. Children should also stay home from school for a week.
Your healthcare provider will see you for a follow-up visit approximately four to six weeks after your surgery.
Your surgeon will give you a list of instructions for your specific situation. Here are some general guidelines for myringoplasty aftercare:
Surgeons have been performing myringoplasty in the U.S. since the mid-1960s. Since then, a wide range of studies have examined the success rates for the procedure. The current overall success rate for myringoplasty falls around 90%.
Following myringoplasty, call your healthcare provider if you or your child develops:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Myringoplasty is a common surgical procedure to repair a ruptured eardrum. Your healthcare provider will probably try conservative treatments before recommending myringoplasty. But if you or your child has a ruptured eardrum that won’t heal — especially after three months — it might be time to explore this procedure.
Last reviewed on 09/11/2022.
Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy