Mastoidectomy is a surgical procedure to clean inflammation, infection, or diseased tissues (such as cholesteatoma) in the mastoid bone, which is a spongy and air-filled bone located behind the ear. It is typically performed to prevent chronic middle ear inflammations from spreading to the brain or facial nerves.
✓Types of Mastoidectomy
Simple Mastoidectomy: Preferred when infection is limited. Inflammation in the mastoid cells is cleaned. Modified Radical Mastoidectomy: Aims to clean a wider area. Modified radical mastoidectomy ensures the infection is brought under control while taking care to preserve hearing function. Radical Mastoidectomy: In the most advanced stages, infected tissues are removed along with the eardrum and ossicles in the middle ear. It may be difficult to preserve hearing, but it helps prevent life-threatening infections.
✓Mastoidectomy Surgery
The surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. During the surgery, an incision is made behind the ear and the mastoid bone is reached. The surgeon, under microscope guidance, cleans the infection spread to the mastoid cells. The surgery may take 1 to 3 hours depending on the extent of infection spread.
✓During this procedure, the condition of the eardrum and middle ear structures is also evaluated. If there is a hole in the eardrum, or if the infection in the middle ear has damaged the ossicles, certain procedures can be performed.
✓These procedures are called mastoidectomy tympanoplasty surgery. These two procedures can be performed in the same session. Thus the infection is cleaned. Repair of the eardrum and hearing mechanism is also achieved.
✓What Are Mastoid Symptoms?
Fluid accumulation in the infected ear and hearing loss may be seen
✓Ear pain
✓Headache
✓Fever
✓Tenderness, redness, swelling behind the ear
✓How Long Does Ear Bone (Mastoidectomy) Surgery Take?
The duration of ear bone surgery may vary depending on which technique the surgery is performed with. We can mostly say that the surgery is completed within a time ranging from 1 hour to 4 hours. When additional procedures need to be performed during the same surgical intervention, the surgery duration may be prolonged.
✓Risks of Radical (Mastoidectomy) Surgery
Taste Disturbance: We should note that this is a commonly experienced complication. The reason is that the taste nerve is located extremely close to the eardrum. Abnormal taste occurs in the operated area and sometimes may be temporary while in some patients it may be permanent.
✓Facial Nerve Weakness: Facial nerve dysfunction is also among the risks but is a rarely occurring complication. This complication can also be temporary or permanent.
✓Allergic Reaction
✓An allergic reaction may occur in the ear canals to the medication used in the operation and itching, swelling complaints may arise.
✓Hearing Loss: Although a rare complication, it is the permanent loss of hearing.
✓Dizziness: A complication that is most often experienced temporarily. If the balance organ is damaged during surgery, it may be permanent.
✓In Which Cases Is Mastoidectomy Applied?
Chronic Middle Ear Inflammation (Chronic Otitis Media): Middle ear infections, which can lead to hearing loss and serious complications if left untreated, may require surgical intervention when they do not respond to medication treatment.
✓Cholesteatoma (Middle Ear Cyst): This abnormal mass, formed by the accumulation of skin cells in the middle ear, can destroy bone structure and cause serious hearing loss. Mastoidectomy is one of the most effective methods in the treatment of cholesteatoma.
✓Hearing Loss and Ear Discharge: Inflammation accumulation in the middle ear or damage to the bone structure can cause hearing loss. Mastoidectomy surgery is performed to preserve hearing ability and prevent inflammation.
✓Infections Spreading to the Middle Ear and Mastoid Bone: Advanced ear infections can spread to the mastoid bone and cause serious health problems. Early intervention ensures the infection is brought under control.
Pain complaints are quite common after ear bone surgery. The pain problem may last for about 2 weeks, and therefore you can use the pain reliever medication recommended by your doctor at the recommended dosage. The dressing remains in the ear for approximately 3 weeks, and during this time it is normal to have very mild, spotty bleeding. After the operation, the ear area must be kept absolutely dry and care must be taken to avoid impact to this area.
Patients should avoid strenuous body movements for 10 days and should not perform jaw exercises. During the first few days, soft, warm, and fibrous foods should be consumed. Your doctor will inform you about what you need to pay attention to after the surgery. Recovery time varies from patient to patient, but we can generally say it is 6 – 8 weeks.