CO2- Laser Myringotomy

Myringotomy means making an opening into the eardrum. It can be done with or without a grommet insertion. Its indications include severe acute otitis media, unresolved middle ear effusion (glue ear), recurrent barotrauma (trauma related to air pressure changes), and chronic eustachian tube (ETT) dysfunction.
Laser myringotomy involves making a round-shaped opening into the eardrum of about 2 mm diameter by using carbon dioxide (CO2)-laser without the need for grommet insertion. It offers precision and good control of bleeding from the perforation edge. Usually, the hole made will close spontaneously within few weeks. It is of value especially in the management of acute and subacute middle ear conditions for example acute otitis media, post-flu "glue ear", and some cases of acute barotrauma related to air flights.
This video demonstrate laser myringotomy performed for middle ear effusion (glue ear). The round-shaped aiming beam (crimson-red in colour) is targetted at the anteroinferior quadrant of the eardrum which corresponds to the cone of light area. The myringotomy was successfully performed after two strikes which ended with a bloodless well-round hole. The middle ear fluid is obviously seen pulsating beyond the perforation.

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Education

Tags:

• CO2-laser
• myringotomy
• otitis media
• glue ear
• barotrauma
• eustachian tube
• ETT
• dysfunction
• grommet
• air flight
• cone of light

[drrahmatorlummc]

This perforation will usually heals readily within few weeks; thus this method is ideal for short-term reversible glue ear management.

[drrahmatorlummc]

This perforations will usually heals readily within few weeks; thus this method is ideal for short-term reversible glue ear management.

[Mansoul1]

Did the ear drum fully heal after the operation?