The ear consists of three main parts; the inner, middle and outer ear.
Although in general, its function is to hear, our inner ear helps us have a feeling of balance.
The middle part, on the other hand, is a cavity that is filled with air and located behind your eardrum.
This area is ventilated and drained by a passageway known as the 'Eustachian Tube.
' Doctors conduct middle ear surgery to treat ailments related to this portion of the ear.
Cholesteatoma- Symptoms and Occurrence Cholesteatoma is an unusual skin growth that appears at the back of the eardrum.
It is caused due to frequent infections and also poor functioning of the Eustachian tube.
Sinusitis, cold or an allergy can be the cause of the improper tube functioning.
It can be seen as a sac or cyst which sheds old skin and develops inside your ear.
Eventually, the cyst will grow larger and cause damage to the adjoining fragile bones of your middle ear.
Continued growth can lead to hearing loss, paralysis of facial muscles and dizziness.
Other symptoms can include ear drainage and a feeling of ear fullness.
Ear surgery for cholesteatoma is performed to prevent complications.
Surgery will get rid of the cholesteatoma making the area infection-free.
It can also preserve your hearing.
Surgeries of the Middle Ear Your middle ear is actually an air-filled cavity that consists of the eardrum and 3 very small interconnected bones; these are the anvil, hammer and stirrup.
Problems with these bones can be treated with middle ear surgery.
The procedure is normally microsurgical, performed with a sophisticated operating microscope.
With the help of this instrument, tiny structures inside the ear can be viewed by your doctor.
There are different types of middle ear surgeries; stapedectomy is performed to restore hearing loss.
A middle-ear bone is replaced with prosthesis.
Tympanoplasty is another type of surgery performed for reconstructing the eardrum subsequent to complete or partial conductive loss of hearing.
This is caused mainly due to persistent ear infections or non-healing perforations.
Myringotomy is carried out to draw off the ear fluid, prevent infections, removal of tumors, correcting perforated eardrum and controlling middle-ear pressure.
Minimally invasive surgeries are becoming very popular now.
Atresiaplasty 'Atresia' means the absence of the ear canal; most patients without an external ear also suffer from Atresia.
Atresiaplasty also known as ear canal surgery is a complex procedure.
Earlier children born with Atresia were not operated to correct the problem.
However, now with advanced medical technologies, doctors are performing Atresiaplasty but not for all children.
To determine if a patient is an eligible candidate, he/she should have mastoid and middle ear pneumatization.
The anatomy of ossicles is evaluated; the morphology of the patient's inner ear and the child's facial nerve are all studied by the doctor before deciding whether Atresiaplasty is necessary or not.
This is because potential complications can arise with this surgery.