What is Mastoidectomy?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 10 years of experience
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What is the meaning of Mastoidectomy?
Mastoidectomy is a surgical procedure done for the removal of the cells in the air-filled, hollow spaces in the skull (the bone structure forming the face) behind the ear and within the mastoid bone (a bone present in the skull just behind the inner ear). These cells are called mastoid air cells.
This surgery is usually done when a person has a cholesteatoma (a non-cancerous skin growth that develops in the middle part of the ear) or chronic (long-term) ear infection. The procedure may be performed in different ways. The surgery is not as common as it was earlier.
Let us tell you in detail about mastoidectomy surgery in today’s article.
- What is the purpose of Mastoidectomy?
- What are the symptoms that indicate a need for Mastoidectomy?
- What is the diagnostic procedure for Mastoidectomy?
- What is the preparation for Mastoidectomy?
- What is the procedure of Mastoidectomy?
- How to take care after Mastoidectomy?
- What are the risks of Mastoidectomy?
- What is the cost of Mastoidectomy in India?
What is the purpose of Mastoidectomy?
Mastoidectomy surgery may be suggested in some of the following conditions:
- Chronic ear infection: An ear infection that is long-standing may require a mastoidectomy. ( Know more about- What are Staph infections? Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention )
- Cholesteatoma: A non-cancerous skin growth (cyst) located in the middle part of the ear and the mastoid bone in the skull is called cholesteatoma.
- Otitis media: An infection of the middle ear is known as otitis media.
- For placement of a cochlear implant: A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that helps in hearing.
- Infections of the mastoid bone that do not show any improvement with antibiotics
What are the symptoms that indicate a need for Mastoidectomy?
Mastoidectomy surgery is recommended when some of the following symptoms are seen:
- Fever
- Headache
- Dizziness ( Know more about- What is Insomnia? Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention )
- Earache
- Loss of hearing in one ear ( Know more about- What is Craniotomy? Purpose, Procedure, Complications, Cost )
- Irritability
- Leakage of some fluid from the ear
- Pressure in the ear
- Swelling in the ear
What is the diagnostic procedure for Mastoidectomy?
- Physical examination: The doctor will first physically examine the patient. This will also include examining the patient’s symptoms and asking the patient about any medical conditions.
- Otoscopy: The ear canal (a tube that connects the outer ear to the middle ear) is examined by the doctor with the help of an otoscope (a medical tool used to look inside the ears), which helps to see inside the ear canal. It also helps to visualize the tympanic membrane or eardrum (a membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear) and the structures present within the middle ear.
- The doctor may recommend the following tests for diagnosis:
- Blood tests: This test gives an indication of any underlying infections.
- X-ray: An x-ray of the skull can be taken to view the bone defects that may be present in the bones of the skull.
- CT scan: It is an imaging procedure that uses radio waves and a computer to obtain clear images of the internal organs of the body.
- MRI scan: An MRI scan of the ear and the head may be taken. This imaging technique uses a strong magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make clear images of the internal parts of the head and the ear.
- Audiometry: This is a type of test to measure the hearing ability of an individual.
- Culture of fluids drained from the ear: This helps in determining the presence of any bacteria or any other microorganisms that may be present in cases of fluid discharge from the ear.
What is the preparation for Mastoidectomy?
- You should inform the doctor of any pre-existing medical conditions that you may be having.
- The doctor should be informed of any medications, herbs, or supplements that you may be taking.
- The doctor may advise you to stop taking any blood-thinning medications like aspirin and warfarin a few days before the surgery to prevent the risk of bleeding during and after the surgery.
- It is advisable to quit smoking at least two weeks before the surgery.
- There should not be any consumption of food or drinks after midnight the day before the surgery.
- The doctor may prescribe some ear drops, which need to be applied before the surgery.
What is the procedure of Mastoidectomy?
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- General anesthesia is given to the patient before starting the procedure of mastoidectomy surgery. This is done to put the patient to sleep during the procedure.
- Mastoidectomy procedure can be performed in the following ways:
Simple mastoidectomy:
- An incision is made behind the ear.
- The surgeon will reach the middle ear and the mastoid bone using a bone drill.
- The infected air cells are removed, and the middle ear is drained.
- The operative site is then sutured (stitched).
- The site is covered with gauze and a bandage to keep the wound area dry and clean.
- A drain may be placed behind the ear to prevent the collection of fluid from around the incision.
Radical mastoidectomy:
- This procedure is generally done in cases of complicated mastoid diseases.
- The procedural steps are the same as simple mastoidectomy, but, in the case of radical mastoidectomy, the surgeon removes the mastoid air cells, the eardrum, most of the middle ear structures, and the ear canal.
Modified radical mastoidectomy:
- This is a less severe type of radical mastoidectomy.
- It involves the removal of the mastoid air cells and some (not all) of the middle ear structures.
The procedure takes about two to three hours to complete. One may have some hearing loss after a radical or modified radical mastoidectomy.
How to take care after Mastoidectomy?
After mastoidectomy surgery, the doctor recommends the following precautions:
- Do not go to work and rest for at least one or two weeks after the surgery.
- While coughing or sneezing, do not keep your mouth open but keep a handkerchief on the mouth.
- The taste of food may feel different for a few weeks after the surgery.
- Do not exercise for a few months after the surgery, or till the doctor permits so that the ear can heal properly.
- After surgery, avoid swimming and put some cotton in the ears before bathing to prevent water from entering the ears.
- Change the cotton in the ears regularly so that there is no risk of infection.
- Swelling in the jaw may occur after surgery, so take light food in the diet.
- While sleeping, use two pillows under the head so that the head remains slightly elevated.
- Do not move your head excessively and do not carry weight.
- The doctor will recommend pain medications (to relieve pain) and antibiotics (for treatment of infections) after surgery.
What are the risks of Mastoidectomy?
Mastoidectomy may present the following risks.
- Facial nerve injury
- Hearing loss ( Know more about- What is Tympanoplasty? Purpose, Procedure, Aftercare, Cost )
- Dizziness ( Know more about- What is Vertigo? Causes, Symptoms, Treatment )
- Tinnitus
- Taste disturbances
- Leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid surrounding the brain and the spinal cord) ( Know more about- What is Epilepsy? Causes, Symptoms, Treatment )
- Revision surgery may be required
- Postoperative infection
- Bleeding
What is the cost of Mastoidectomy in India?
The total cost of mastoidectomy in India can range from around INR 2,00,000 to INR 2,40,000. However, the cost of surgery may vary across different hospitals. There are many big hospitals and specialized doctors in India for mastoidectomy. But the cost varies across different hospitals.
If you are coming from abroad, in addition to the expenses of mastoidectomy surgery, there will be a cost of staying in a hotel, cost of living, and cost of local travel. Apart from this, after the surgery, the patient is kept in hospital for 2 to 3 days and in the hotel for 7 days for recovery. So, the total cost of mastoidectomy in India will be around INR 2,60,000 to INR 3,20,000.
We hope that your question, what is mastoidectomy, is answered through this article.
If you want to get more information and treatment of mastoidectomy, you can contact the General Surgeon.
We only aim to give you information through this article and do not recommend medication or treatment in any way. Only a qualified doctor can give you good advice and the correct treatment plan.
