What happens later at home?

Pain and bleeding are usually mild. No changes in activity or diet are needed following the procedure. However, the person must keep water out of their ear. Also, the person must not blow his or her nose. This might dislodge the graft. Antibiotics may be prescribed and pain relievers should be taken as needed. Corticosteroid and antibiotic eardrops are often used to keep the ear canal free of infection. The drops also keep the packing in the ear canal moist so it can be easily removed later on. Plane flights and altitude changes need to be avoided for several weeks after the surgery.

What are the potential complications after the procedure?

All surgery carries a risk of bleeding, infection, and reactions to pain medicines. The main complication specific to the surgery is a disturbance in taste. This may happen if a certain nerve is injured. This nerve runs right behind the eardrum. It brings taste information to the tongue. As with any ear surgery, there are also the risks of dizziness and nerve deafness.

Eardrum repair is not always successful. For eardrum repair, success means both closing the hole and restoring normal hearing. Closing the eardrum is the primary goal because it protects the ear. Hearing is usually tested before and after surgery. Success depends on the size of the area to be repaired, and whether or not there are problems with other parts of the ear. If both eardrums are perforated, the success rate is lower. For calcium deposits in the eardrum, a successful result is restoring normal eardrum function. Ideally, hearing will improve as a result. Success for retraction pocket surgery involves repairing the pocket area and halting any problems the pocket is causing.