After mastoidectomy
Recovery process after a mastoidectomy
Mastoidectomy Complications
How long does mastoidectomy surgery take?
What can you not do after ear surgery?
A mastoidectomy is a surgical procedure that removes diseased mastoid air cells. The mastoid is the part of your skull located behind your ear. It’s filled with air cells made of bone and looks like a honey comb. The diseased cells are often the result of an ear infection that has spread into your skull. The procedure can also be used to remove an abnormal growth of the ear known as a cholesteatoma.
Three variations of mastoidectomy procedures, including:
You can expect some hearing loss from a radical and modified radical mastoidectomy.
This surgery isn’t as common as it used to be. Antibiotics usually treat infections, but surgery is an option if antibiotics fail.
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How to prepare for this surgery
The treating physician gives the patient a thorough ear, nose, and throat examination and uses detailed diagnostic tests, including an audiogram and imaging studies of the mastoid bone using x rays or CT scans to evaluate the patient for surgery.
The patient is prepared for surgery by shaving the hair behind the ear on the mastoid bone. Mild soap and a water solution are commonly used to cleanse the outer ear and surrounding skin.
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What will happen during a mastoidectomy?
After Mastoidectomy procedure
The drainage tube inserted during surgery is typically removed a day or two later.
Painkillers are usually needed for the first day or two after the operation. The patient should drink fluids freely. After the stitches are removed, the bulky mastoid dressing can be replaced with a smaller dressing if the ear is still draining. The patient is given antibiotics for several days.
The patient should inform the physician if any of the following symptoms occur:
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Recovery process after a mastoidectomy
You can expect to have bandages over your ear when you wake up. There will also be stitches close to your ear. You may have a headache, discomfort, and some numbness.
After surgery, your doctor may:
You may have these associated complications
Complications of a mastoidectomy can include:
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How long does Mastoidectomy surgery take?
The operation is performed through a cut behind your ear, with you asleep under a general anaesthetic for approximately 2 to 4 hours.
What is a mastoid dressing?
Mastoid pressure dressing (MPD) with circumferential head bandage after middle ear surgery and cochlear implantation (CI) is used to minimize the postoperative hematoma and thus provides a good wound covering. But such dressing is usually uncomfortable for patients and may lead to other unpredictable complications. no clinically significant benefits have found for use of MPD following CI. We suggest abandoning the use of compression bandages after uncomplicated CI.
Wear chinstrap or head band dressings all day for 14 Days. This is important to keeping your new ears in position. After that, wear a clean headband at night for 3-6 weeks. You may shampoo your hair after the dressing has been removed the day after surgery.
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What can you not do after ear surgery?
Your doctor will test your hearing after your ear has healed. This may be 8 to 12 weeks after surgery.
While you are healing, it is important to avoid getting water in your ear. You will also need to avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, and other activities that may put pressure on your eardrum. This includes flying in an airplane, swimming, scuba diving, or playing contact sports.
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