Widening of the opening ear canal (meatoplasty)

A meatoplasty is the surgical enlargement of the opening of the ear canal.

There are risks and complications with this procedure. They include but are not limited to the following.

General risks

• Infection can occur, requiring antibiotics and further treatment.
• Bleeding could occur and may require a return to the operating room.
• Small areas of the lung can collapse, increasing the risk of chest infection. This may need antibiotics and physiotherapy.
• Increased risk in obese people of wound infection, chest infection, heart and lung complications, and thrombosis.
• Heart attack or stroke could occur due to the strain on the heart.
• Blood clot in the leg (DVT) causing pain and swelling. In rare cases part of the clot may break off and go to the lungs.
• Death as a result of this procedure is rare but possible.

Specific risks

• Bleeding or infection in the ear or in the wound. Rarely, an infection may spread to adjacent structures including the brain causing meningitis or a brain abscess
• Facial nerve palsy. Injury to the nerve controlling the muscles of the face may result in paralysis of the face muscles. This may be temporary or may rarely be permanent
• Persistence or recurrence of the cholesteatoma may occur requiring further surgery
• Ringing in the ear (tinnitus), dizziness, or an altered sensation of taste may occur and may be temporary or permanent
• Partial loss of hearing or total loss of hearing may rarely occur and may be permanent
• Failure to improve hearing. An improvement in hearing may not be apparent despite the surgery being successful in eliminating the disease
• Discharging ear. Persistent pain and discharge may occur requiring further surgery