Mastoidectomy procedure
After mastoidectomy
Recovery process after a mastoidectomy
Mastoidectomy Complications
How long does mastoidectomy surgery take?
What can you not do after ear surgery?
is mastoidectomy major 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:
- simple mastoidectomy, in which your surgeon opens your mastoid bone, removes the infected air cells, and drains your middle ear
- radical mastoidectomy, in which your surgeon may remove your mastoid air cells, your eardrum, most of your middle ear structures, and your ear canal. This procedure is reserved for complicated mastoid disease.
- modified radical mastoidectomy, which is a less severe form of radical mastoidectomy that involves removing mastoid air cells along with some, but not all, middle ear structures
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.
Read more about: cochlear implant sound
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.
Read more about: Surgery for early-stage colon cancer
What will happen during a mastoidectomy?
- You may be given general anesthesia to keep you asleep and free from pain during surgery. You may be given an antibiotic through your IV to help prevent a bacterial infection. Your healthcare provider will make an incision behind your ear in the shape of a "C". He will use a small drill to remove part or all of your mastoid bone and air cells. The amount of bone and tissue that is removed depends on the size of the damaged area. Your healthcare provider will clean out the area with saline fluid.
- If your ear canal wall is removed, your healthcare provider may use a graft to rebuild it. The graft may be made of plastic or metal, taken from another area of your body, or taken from a donor. A graft may also be used to repair or replace your eardrum. Your healthcare provider will close your incision with stitches. He may place packing inside of your ear. He may also place a bandage over or around your ear. The bandage will help keep your wound clean and dry and help prevent infection.
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:
- bright red blood on the dressing
- stiff neck or disorientation (These may be signs of meningitis.)
- facial paralysis, drooping mouth, or problems swallowing
Read more about: Tympanoplasty Surgery In Iran
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:
- prescribe pain medication
- give you antibiotics to treat any infection
- ask you to schedule a return for wound check and removal of any bandages and stitches
You may have these associated complications
Complications of a mastoidectomy can include:
- facial nerve paralysis or weakness, which is a rare complication caused by facial nerve injury
- sensorineural hearing loss, which is a type of inner ear hearing loss
- dizziness or vertigo, which may persist for several days
- a change in taste that causes food to seem metallic, sour, or otherwise off, and often resolves after a few months
- tinnitus, which causes abnormal noises in your ear such as ringing, buzzing, and hissing
Read more about: Endoscopic Sinus Surgery In Iran
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.
Read more about: Cochlear Implants Surgery In Iran
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.
Read more about: eardrum repair surgery in Iran