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Myringotomy (Grommet (ventricular tube) insertion

Myringotomy is a surgical procedure in which a tiny incision is created in the eardrum, so as to relieve pressure caused by the excessive build-up of fluid, or to drain pus. Myringotomy is often performed as a treatment for Otitis media (infection of middle ear space) in patients who fail to respond to medications or who develop complications as purulent otitis media, severe earache, meningitis, or facial paralysis. If a patient requires Myringotomy for drainage or ventilation of the middle ear, this generally implies that the Eustachian tube is either partially or completely obstructed and is not able to perform this function in its usual physiologic fashion. Before the invention of antibiotics, Myringotomy was the main treatment of severe acute Otitis media (middle ear infection).
Adenoidectomy (removal of adenoid tissue) is a useful adjunct to Myringotomy in the treatment of middle ear effusion (fluid).

Grommet/Ventilating tube/Tympanostomy tube (pressure equalization tube) can be performed as an additional step in patients undergoing myringotomy who have -

1. Repeated acute Otitis media
2. Negative middle ear pressure with impending cholesteatoma (skin in the wrong place).
3. Chronic effusion (fluid) of the middle ear space with a duration of greater than 3 months.

These tubes provide a safe method for normalizing middle ear pressure and in most cases, restoring hearing to normal.

OTOSCOPIC PICTURE showing bulging inflamed ear drum

 

HAEMOTYMPANUM-Blood collected behind ear drum

 

Otitis media with effusion-sterile fluid behind ear drum