Tympanoplasty is an operation to repair a perforation in the ear drum and, or repair the ossicles to improve hearing.  This is usually done as day surgery.  The surgery may be done through the ear canal, but often involves an incision behind the ear requiring stitches.

As after all surgery, pain medication is required and will be prescribed by your surgeon.  Antibacterial ointment may be prescribed to be applied to an incision, and ear drops may be prescribed.  Antibiotics may be used to prevent infection during healing.

Packing in the ear will act like an ear plug causing temporary hearing loss, until it is removed.  The packing may make the ear feel plugged especially when chewing or swallowing.  Ear drops will tend to drip from the ear after application, and may be blood-tinged.  A cotton ball will absorb this and can be changed as often as needed.

Water must be kept out of the ear until your surgeon tells you it is safe to get the ear wet.  A cotton ball with Vaseline is a good plug to use when washing.  Swimming, heavy straining or lifting, blowing the nose, and flying are also unsafe until your surgeon tells you - usually a month or more after surgery.

A week or more after surgery you may experience a lot of popping or clicking in the ear when swallowing, yawning and chewing.  This is normal as the packing material and blood clot dissolves in the middle ear, and may be accompanied by improvement of hearing.

Your surgeon may schedule several visits to the office during the first month or two after tympanoplasty, depending on the nature of surgery and your healing.  Hearing is usually not tested until at least a month after surgery due to the presence of packing in the ear canal and middle ear.

Mild dizziness soon after surgery is common.  Severe dizziness, spinning, nausea, or excessive pain are not expected.  If these occur you should be evaluated as soon as possible.