Mastoidectomy
Simple mastoidectomy; Canal-wall-up mastoidectomy; Canal-wall-down mastoidectomy; Radical mastoidectomy; Modified radical mastoidectomy; Mastoid obliteration; Retrograde mastoidectomy; Mastoiditis - mastoidectomy; Cholesteatoma - mastoidectomy; Otitis media - mastoidectomyA mastoidectomy is surgery to remove cells in the hollow, air-filled spaces in the skull behind the ear within the mastoid bone. These spaces are called mastoid air cells.
Description
This surgery used to be a common way to treat an infection in mastoid air cells. In most cases, the condition was caused by an ear infection that spread to the bone in the skull. This surgery is not often performed now.
You will receive general anesthesia, so you will be asleep and pain free. The surgeon will make a cut behind the ear. A bone drill will be used to gain access to the middle ear cavity that is behind the mastoid bone in the skull. The infected parts of the mastoid bone or ear tissue will be removed and the cut is stitched and covered with a bandage. The surgeon may put a drain behind the ear to prevent fluid from collecting around the incision. The operation will take 2 to 3 hours.
Why the Procedure Is Performed
Mastoidectomy may be used to treat:
- Cholesteatoma
Cholesteatoma
Cholesteatoma is a type of skin cyst that is located in the middle ear and mastoid bone in the skull.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Complications of an ear infection (otitis media)
Otitis media
Chronic ear infection is fluid, swelling, or an infection behind the eardrum that does not go away or keeps coming back. It causes long-term or perm...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Infections of the mastoid bone that do not get better with antibiotics
- To place a cochlear implant
Cochlear implant
A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that helps people hear. It can be used for people who are deaf or very hard of hearing.
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Risks
Risks may include:
- Changes in taste
- Dizziness
- Hearing loss
- Infection that persists or keeps returning
- Noises in the ear (tinnitus)
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the medical term for "hearing" noises in your ears. It occurs when there is no outside source of the sounds. Tinnitus is often called "r...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Weakness of the face
- Cerebrospinal fluid leak
Before the Procedure
You may need to stop taking any medicines that make it hard for your blood to clot 2 weeks before your surgery, including aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and some herbal supplements. Your health care provider may ask you not to eat or drink after midnight the night before the procedure.
After the Procedure
You will have stitches behind your ear and there may be a small rubber drain. You may also have a large dressing over the operated ear. The dressing is removed the day after surgery. You may need to stay in the hospital overnight. Your provider will give you pain medicines and antibiotics to prevent infection.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Mastoidectomy successfully gets rid of the infection in the mastoid bone in most people.
References
Chole RA, Sharon JD. Chronic otitis media, mastoiditis, and petrositis. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 140.
MacDonald CB, Wood JW. Mastoid surgery. In: Myers EN, Snyderman CH, eds. Operative Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2018:chap 134.
Stevens SM, Lambert PR. Mastoidectomy: surgical techniques. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 143.
Review Date: 9/21/2022
Reviewed By: Josef Shargorodsky, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.