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Mastoidectomy


Why is this procedure done?


The mastoid bone is found behind the ear and at the base of the skull. It is connected to the middle ear. It contains air-filled cells. The surgery to remove these cells is a mastoidectomy. Doctors may do this procedure to: ‚  
  • Treat an infection
  • Take out a cyst
  • Put in a hearing device


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What will the results be?


The doctor will remove damaged mastoid air cells. Your signs will disappear. Your cyst may be removed and infection treated. Your hearing device may be put in place. ‚  

What happens before the procedure?


Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about: ‚  
  • All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
  • Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
  • If you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
  • If you are not feeling well. An infection from a cold or sore throat may raise the risk of infection.

Your doctor will do an exam and may order: ‚  
  • Lab tests
  • X-rays
  • Hearing test

You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home. ‚  

What happens during the procedure?


  • Once you are in the operating room, you will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery. The staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs.
  • When you are asleep, the doctors put a tube in your mouth to help you breathe.
  • Your doctor will clean the back of your ear. Your doctor will make a small cut on the skin so the mastoid bone can be seen easily.
  • Your doctor will take the mastoid cells out.
    • Treating an infection ¢ ˆ ’ Your doctor will make a small cut on the eardrum to drain trapped fluids. Your doctor will put antibiotics directly inside the ear to treat infection.
    • Putting in a hearing device ¢ ˆ ’ The area will be cleared and the device put in place. It will not work until a week or two after your surgery.
    • Treating a cyst ¢ ˆ ’ The doctor may need to make a bigger cut.
  • Your doctor may remove parts of the ear if it is sticking to the ear cyst. Your doctor may remove the whole middle ear if the ear cyst is very big.
  • Your doctor may reconstruct the middle ear by doing a tympanoplasty procedure. Your doctor will use a graft to cover the middle ear. Your doctor will make this graft by cutting a small piece of tissue from the front or back of your ear. This will serve as a plug inside the middle ear.
  • Your doctor will close the cuts with stitches and cover the wound with clean bandages.

What happens after the procedure?


  • You will go to the Recovery Room and the staff will watch you closely. You may have to stay in the hospital overnight or you may go home later that day.
  • You may have discomfort and numbness after the procedure. This may become more painful when the anesthesia wears off. Your doctor will give you drugs for pain.
  • Your doctor will put special bandages inside your ear canal. Your doctor may remove these after a few days.
  • Your doctor may use a tube to drain your ear. Keep this in place. Your doctor may remove this after a few days. Do not touch your ear bandages. Keep your ear bandages dry.

What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Your doctor may give you ear drops or pills for pain and infection. Apply or take all the drugs as ordered by your doctor, even if you are feeling better.
  • Wait until your hearing tests are normal before you travel by plane or go scuba diving.
  • Put 2 to 3 pillows under your head when you lie down.
  • Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
    • When you should change your bandages
    • When you may take a bath or shower. Ask if it is OK to get your ear wet or to get water in your ear.
    • If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
    • When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
  • Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
  • Ask before you travel by plane or go scuba diving or swimming.
  • Your doctor may leave a tube inside your ear to drain fluids. You may see yellowish or bloody fluid coming out of your ear.
  • Do not blow your nose while your ear heals.
  • Do not sneeze with your mouth closed or drink with a straw while you are healing. Ask your doctor when you can do these things again.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Your doctor may have left a tube inside your ear to drain fluids after surgery. Your doctor will set a follow-up visit to check this drain. Do not remove the drain.
  • Talk to your doctor if you have hearing problems after the procedure.

What lifestyle changes are needed?


You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚  

What problems could happen?


  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Short-term dizziness
  • Facial paralysis
  • Deafness
  • Ringing in the ear

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, wound that will not heal.
  • Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
  • Bleeding or drainage from the ear
  • Numbness or a tingling sensation on the side of the face operated on
  • Stiff neck
  • Feeling disoriented
  • Problems swallowing
  • Numbness of the face or drooping around the mouth
  • Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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