ENT Referral in FW for 2Nd Opinion on Tympanoplasty

i can't answer about specific area but my daughter is undergoing the same surgery (same circumstances then some) in july. i did change doctors (because we changed states). her first surgery was when she was five years old, 4 months later she had an ear infection and the eardrum collapsed. this time around, they are building her eardrum using synthetic material (combined with her skin from the back of the ear). reason being the new eardrum won't be as flexible as a natural one but will be stronger.
now, find out why the eardrum collapsed in the first place. i know you said due to ear infection, my daughter's collapse was helped by the fact that there was negative pressure in her ear due to poor performing eustachian tube. my daughter will be 9 next week. according to her docs, this won't change for her, that is why they are building a stronger eardrum this time around, so that it is stronger to ear infections and negative pressure.
also, i do recommend the surgery, even if it is for the second or even third time, reason being to preserve the three tiny hearing bones which are located behind the eardrum. my daughter lost one of those tiny bones due to ear infections, and she has complete hearing loss in that one ear.

I have had 4 tympanoplasties, yes I realize that I only have two ears, but I've had 2 on each.

The first one had a clestiatoma (sp?) form over it and they had to go in and take it all out and start again. The second ear still had a small hole after the first tympanoplasty and they went in to close that. All of them were done with an incision behind my ear and pulling my ear forward. I did not have the drilling in my skull. I would recommend having the surgery done just to get the holes in your son's eardrums closed. There is more recovery when you have the incision behind your ear, you just don't think about all the muscles you use in your face when eating!! Small bites and softer food is a good plan. I do not really have problems with my ears now, I do have an occasional ear infection when I get a bad cold but I don't think that's any different than anyone else.

It seems as though you are not completely comfortable with the doctor you've seen, so I certainly agree with your plan for a second opinion.

Good Luck,

M.

We used Dr. Michael Bryan at Southlake ENT. He did my son's nose cauterization at a pediatric surgery center in North Richland Hills.

Also, you could check with Cook's Childrens in Fort Worth -- my son has been there a few times and it truly is an extraordinary place.

Had an unpleasant experience with a guy named Shellenberger - he was rushed and wouldn't return emergency calls after 9pm or on weekends.

Just wondering? Is he wearing ear plugs while swimming? I know my nephew has to still wear them to stop water from getting in his ears while swimming

I do love our ENT Dr Bauer his office is in Southlake ###-###-####, but he does surgery in Fort Worth. He takes his time and really helps the kids understand. He is also pretty conservative in his treatment, which I appreciate.

Here is a link to their website www.entforchildren.net

Has not had an infection in a year, hearing normally. Why would you put him thru that. My sons eardrum ruptured a few times at least. Had tubes but no surgery. I would think long and hard about it.