Paracentesis (tympanic membranes incision)

Paracentesis is also called myringotomy. It is a surgical procedure involving puncture of the tympanic membrane in order to evacuate the middle ear of pathological secretion. Sometimes, the tympanic membrane is pricked in a tympanic cavity to take up the fluid for diagnostic purposes. The recommendations for surgery are: otitis media with effusion, blood in the tympanic cavity, acute otitis media uncontrolled with medication, complications of acute otitis media (e.g. facial nerve paralysis, acute mastoiditis, labyrinthitis and inner ear). Paracentesis is a relatively short treatment. The average duration varies between 40 minutes. Before surgery, the patient should be fasted. Paracentesis is performed under general anaesthesia. The patient falls asleep during the procedure; does not remember its course, do not feel any pain. The operation is performed through the external auditory canal. The doctor inserts a sharp knife to the myringotomy, then incisions the tympanic membrane in determined space (front and bottom quadrant). The next step is to remove the pathological secretion in the middle ear. After the operation, the doctor provides anti-inflammatory agents and dressings. The paracentesis is one of “one-day surgery procedures”. This means that the patient is observed for several hours after waking up and can leave the hospital on the same day. The possible complication of the operation is primarily wound infection. The patient should pay attention to possible secretion from the ear, blood, persistent pain, increased body temperature. Any concerns should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible. After the operation, bathing is not contraindicated, but special care should be taken. Do not immerse your head in water, not to dive.