Paracentesis is the procedure for the eardrum puncturing( thread), which is prescribed if the patient has purulent otitis media. Paracentesis allows to empty the drum cavity from the accumulated exudate. The procedure is aimed at eliminating the pain syndrome in the patient, reducing the temperature and improving the overall condition.
Parenteresis of the eardrum
Paracentesis is a cut of the tympanic membrane, which is done with a straight or slightly bent spear-shaped needle. With otoscopy, the site of the future incision is planned at first. After the doctor, a rapid movement quickly pierces the tissues of the membrane. The needle usually sticks out superficially, because with a deeper dipping of its tip there is a possibility of injury to the inner walls of the tympanum.
Indications for
There are three main symptoms that indicate the need for paracentesis:
- A sharp pain that does not resemble pain in the ear.
- High body temperature( from 38.5).
- Dilation of the tympanic membrane( diagnosed only by a doctor).
Doctors point out that all three of these symptoms do not have to wait;very often for the procedure, even two symptoms are enough. A very important symptom is the general condition of the patient. With a general weakness in relation to temperature and pain, paracentesis is also indicated as an urgent and even urgent measure.
Doctors' comments on the need for the procedure in our video:
How is
performed Paracentesis is carried out in several basic stages:
- Preparation;
- The process itself of the puncture of the tympanic membrane;
- Care after surgery.
Puncture of tympanic membrane
Preparation of
The preparation for this procedure begins with a diagnosis. It is the results obtained during the diagnosis that affect whether the procedure itself is carried out.
Preparatory measures include mechanical cleaning of the external ear canal, namely removal of sebaceous secretion and sulfur, and disinfection with antiseptics or furacilin. After this, the doctor proceeds to carry out a puncture.
Description of the process
This operation can be carried out without definite anesthesia. However, almost any patient can ask for a local anesthetic. Especially anesthesia is recommended for people prone to increased emotionality, as well as children.
Anesthesia is performed by inserting a fleece moistened with a local anesthetic into the ear canal. The tampon is pressed tightly to the eardrum and left for 7-8 minutes.
After the patient is seated or settled in a stable position. In order for the operation to do anything, the assistant doctor also holds the patient's head. A wide funnel is inserted into the patient's ear.
Lighting is carried out with the help of the head reflector. After that, a special paracentesis needle is gently inserted into the funnel. The doctor brings it to the very membrane and performs an injection, and a further section of the rear of her department.
Procedure for paracentesis
Post-operative care and recovery
When the procedure is performed correctly, all accumulated pus begins to flow through the hole in the eardrum of the patient. To remove pus in the ear, a sterile gauze tampon is injected, which absorbs all purulent contents. It is important to periodically replace gauze with a clean one.
Treatment
Treatment of the ear after a puncture is prescribed by a doctor. He can prescribe both medicamental and combined treatment, including other methods and procedures.
Medically
Antibiotic therapy is an indispensable condition. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics, drops for the ears and nasal sprays. This therapy applies not only to adults, but also to children.
Folk recipes
There are several folk methods that can speed the patient's recovery. Among them the most common and effective are:
- Lemon. This citrus helps in the restoration of hearing. It is enough to eat a quarter of lemon peel once a day. The hearing is restored within 1-1,5 weeks.
- Beet. Burying the ears with beet juice is also a very effective method for hearing impairment. To do this, it is necessary to boil the beetroot and squeeze its juice. Bury it 3-4 drops in each ear.
- Onion. With pain syndrome, using onions is a very effective method. To relieve pain, just wrap a small piece of onion in cotton wool and carefully insert the resulting tampon into the ear.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy today is more often prescribed to children. This type of treatment is safe and painless. The main task of any physiotherapy is the removal of symptoms and exclusion of the resumption of the disease and possible relapse.
What can and what can not be done
This question is mostly of interest to patients. Speaking of what can be done after the paracentesis, it is important to remember the appointment of the attending physician. You can follow it and even need it. Observance of all the subtleties of therapy allows you to get rid of the disease and its attendant symptoms in the shortest possible time.
But you can not do much more. Here are just some of the basic prohibitions:
- You can not prescribe yourself a certain list of drugs without consulting the doctor.
- Do not ignore physician-prescribed physiotherapy or drugs.
- You can not bury your ears with doubtful alcohol tinctures.
- Do not allow to enter the ear cavity of water, so you need to wash your head very carefully.
- You should never use expired drugs.
- Do not increase the dose of the drug in contravention of the purpose of ENT.
Take care of your health and do not risk it at all, because in some cases, self-medication and neglect of the disease can lead to deafness and even death.
Features of the operation for children
Paracentesis is performed from a fairly early age. And, if necessary, the procedure is applied even in newborns.
The operation is performed after preliminary accounting of all studies on the state of the body. Also important are the analyzes and information on the symptoms of the child received the day before. The most difficult is the detection of certain symptoms in children of that age group who are unable to report painful feelings on their own. Identify the signs of the disease in these children can only be through observation and thorough diagnosis.
The operation is carried out for children in the same analogy as for adults. The only distinctive feature is mandatory anesthesia. For adults, xylocaine, tetracaine, lidocaine can be used as an anesthetic.
In the case of children it is only a general anesthesia. In this case, attention is paid to the psychological factor and the inability to explain to the child all the painfulness of the operation.
How to avoid surgery for purulent otitis media:
Possible complications and alarming symptoms of
Complications after paracentesis are extremely rare and insignificant. However, a neglected detail, the incompetence of a doctor or the lack of their experience can lead to a number of unpleasant consequences.
Not always after the operation appears pus, which is not a good sign. Sometimes it happens that the mucosa of the tympanic membrane is significantly thickened, which prevents the exudate from passing through the hole. In such cases the gluing takes place and the patient is assigned a repeated perforation.
There may be minor inflammation. However, it is always worth paying attention to them and immediately inform the treating doctor.
Most often, the unfavorable symptoms are as follows:
- pain within the auditory canal;
- partial hearing loss;
- burning and tingling;
- presence of fever;
- poor health;
- weakness;
- sensation of pulsation.
If the outflow of pus does not return to normal on the second day, the doctor prescribes ancillary procedures. These include prolapse of the mucous membrane, suction, purging, physiotherapeutic procedures.
Prevention
Preventive measures include several basic rules, observing which, the patient can protect himself from ear infections:
- in case of a cold, it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner;
- ears should be protected from cold and drafts;
- diet should be balanced;
- should avoid sudden pressure drops;Do not allow water into the ear canal.
Observing all these rules, you can exclude the appearance of acute pains, suppuration and other unpleasant symptoms of ear disease.