mastoid surgery 

Operation time: 2-4 hours

Anaesthesia: General

Admission: Usually day case

Mastoid exploration is most often performed to treat cholesteatoma, a condition in which the ear drum is distorted into the middle ear space forming a sac. This sac eventually retains debris from the surface of the ear drum and progressively expands further into the middle ear and surrounding bone (the mastoid bone). Although the condition develops slowly over months / years it has the potential to result in severe complications if left untreated due to damage to surrounding structures through expansion or infection. These include erosion of the ossicles (the bones of hearing), balance system, facial nerve (which controls movements on the affected side of the face), or the surface lining of the brain.

Surgery is performed via an incision hidden behind the ear to access and fully clear the disease within the middle ear and surrounding mastoid bone. Following removal of the disease the ear drum is reconstructed using fascia (a robust tissue borrowed through the same surgical incision) and cartilage. Our team has extensive experience in primary and revisional mastoid surgery, including mastoid obliteration (closing a mastoid cavity and rebuilding the ear canal wall after previous surgery).

POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

• Head bandage and surface dressings to be removed the day after surgery

• Packing material within the ear canal removed by the operating surgeon in clinic 2-3 weeks after surgery

• A small amount of leaking / bleeding from the ear canal is common following surgery - cotton wool may be applied and changed as needed

• Wound behind the ear to be kept dry for 7 days but can be washed thereafter

• All sutures are dissolvable and do not require removal unless otherwise specified

• Avoid flying for 6 weeks