The middle ear is the part of the ear between the eardrum and the oval window. It is through the middle ear that sounds circulate to the inner ear. It is composed of three small bones: the malleus, the incus and the stapes which is located above the oval window, in addition there are other structures such as the round window and the Eustachian tube.
Middle ear surgery
In Otorhinolaryngology, middle ear surgery is performed in those patients who have functional problems, i.e. hearing loss and wish to recover it, or to solve a suppurative problem. The latter case occurs when there is fluid in the tympanic cavity, which communicates with the back of the nose through the Eustachian tube.
Causes and results of middle ear surgery
Among the auditory causes that can lead to middle ear surgery, the most frequent is otosclerosis, abnormal growth of the stapes plate. To solve this situation, the operation performed is stapedectomy, which consists of lifting the tympanomeatal flap, removing the stapes and replacing it with a prosthesis.
Thanks to this, a patient with a disabling hypoacusis or deafness that forces him to use a hearing aid, can do without it and hear normally in most cases. Of course, there is a risk of not gaining hearing or losing the hearing you have, although this is very infrequent. On the other hand, among the side effects that may occur, and which are usually transitory, are vertigo and taste alterations.
During the postoperative period, the patient is advised to rest, not to move the head abruptly and to avoid wetting the ear to avoid any complications.