A<unk>  is a surgical procedure in which an incision is created in the eardrum (tympanic membrane) to relieve pressure caused by excessive buildup of fluid, or to drain pus from the middle ear. A tympanostomy tube may be inserted through the eardrum to keep the middle ear aerated for a prolonged time and to prevent reaccumulation of fluid. Without the insertion of a tube, the incision usually heals spontaneously within two to three weeks. Depending on the type, the tube is either naturally extruded in 6 to 12 months or removed during a minor procedure. Those requiring<unk>  usually have an obstructed or dysfunctional eustachian tube that is unable to perform drainage or ventilation in its usual fashion. Before the invention of antibiotics,<unk>  without tube placement was also used as a major treatment of severe acute otitis media (middle ear infection).
Myringotomy
Tenotomy
Facial nerve decompression
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
Uvulopalatoplasty
Cricopharyngeal myotomy
Nymphotomy
Septoplasty