Suprise Ear Surgery

Well, we had to go to the Hospital Friday morning to ENT, get situated and I was then taken to the Operating Room and had another Tube, *(my 5th one) inserted in my left Ear Drum to drain excess fluid off my Ear Drum.  It's called a "Tympanoplasty" !

.PICTURES ARE FROM THE INTERNET !

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The drainage Tube placed in my left Ear Drum so hope it stays in longer than most of them !  

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Following that surgery I then underwent what they call a Balloon Eustachian Tube "TUBOPLASTY" !  This was done while I was out an unconscious .

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Eustachian tuboplasty is a nasal or transoral endoscopic  procedure requiring general anesthesia. To date, it has started to  be  used only in adults, A laser or microdebrider is used to strip away hypertrophic mucosa and cartilage on the posterior eustachian tube cushion and into an area called the valve to clear obstruction.

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This is how they go thru the Nose and down the sinus into the Throat and up into the Eustachian Tube where they use a saline filled balloon to open up the tube and drain the infection !

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This is part of what they use they get into the Eustachian Tube thru the nose.  There was a Company Rep in the operating room while they did my procedure which started at noon and I was out at 6PM !

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This is almost the same procedure as a Heart Cath except they blow up a Balloon in the tube and hold for 2 minutes.

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Well, I came home the night of my Surgeries, went to bed full of Pain killers.  I now use ear drops 2 times a day and see the surgeon this thrusday  for progress report.  I have an issue with my balance and some soreness but right now, "I CAN HEAR"  way more than I did !

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My Shipmate Jack is home from his adventure !  Check out "Shipslog" at:   Shipslog (shipslog-jack.blogspot.com)

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