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Eardrum puncture (myringotomy)
myringotomy · eardrum puncture · tympanocentesis · draining the ear
The doctor makes a tiny opening in the eardrum. Pus or fluid drains out of the ear through it.
For a severe ear infection when pus presses on the eardrum and pain does not ease, or when fluid stays behind the eardrum for a long time.
⏱ Duration: the procedure itself usually takes a few minutes
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Numbing. It is usually done with local numbing, and sometimes under anesthesia for children. Your doctor will say.
- Food. If there will be anesthesia, the clinic will tell you when to stop eating.
What to bring
- Your ID
- A list of your medicines
- Cotton wool or cotton pads
How it goes
- The ear is numbed with drops or a shot
- The patient sits or lies down, and the head is held still
- Using a funnel or microscope, the doctor finds the eardrum
- A tiny opening is made with a thin needle
- The fluid or pus is suctioned out
- A cotton ball is placed in the ear
What you'll feel
- There may be a brief sharp pain or a pop
- Afterward, pain from the pressure usually eases quickly
- Discharge from the ear in the first days
Afterwards
- Keep the ear dry until your doctor says it is OK
- Use drops and medicines as prescribed
- The opening usually heals on its own in a few days
Contact a doctor straight away if
- The fever stays or rises, or a severe headache
- Swelling and pain behind the ear
- Severe dizziness, or a drooping face: see a doctor urgently
Common questions
Will my hearing get worse?
Usually not. The opening is tiny and heals on its own.
Why not wait for it to burst on its own?
A neat opening made by the doctor heals better than a tear.