Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Note Differences, Similarities Between Myringoplasty, Tympanoplasty

Question: What’s the difference between a tympanoplasty and a myringoplasty? I was under the impression they were interchangeable terms.

Vermont Subscriber

Answer: That’s not exactly accurate. When the physician performs surgery to repair the tympanic membrane, but leaves the ossicular chain in-tact, you’ve got what’s known as a type I tympanoplasty. This procedure is also known as a myringoplasty. When the surgery extends to the ossicular chain and involves other associated middle ear (ME) disease, you are working exclusively under the title of tympanoplasty.