Mastoidectomy

A surgical operation to remove part of the mastoid process, as a treatment for mastoiditis.

Surgical removal of part of the mastoid portion of the temporal bone, done to treat chronic otitis media or mastoiditis, when antibiotics are not effective.

Surgical removal of the distal portion of the mastoid bone (mastoid process) and portions of the mastoid sinus; usually due to untreated otitis media.

Surgical removal of all or part of a honeycombed portion of the bone, called the mastoid process, that is located behind the outer ear. The mastoid process is connected to the middle ear, and an inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media) —generally a sign of infection — may spread to the mastoid. If antibiotic treatment does not cure the infection, a physician may recommend complete mastoidectomy to remove the disease from the bone or partial mastoidectomy to remove part of the bone and drain the mastoid. Complications are rare but may include persistent ear drainage, hearing loss, paralysis of the face on the side of the surgery, and reinfection of the mastoid. Dizziness may be experienced for a short period following surgery. Loss of the sense of taste on the affected side may occur, usually lasting only a few weeks but in some cases, becoming permanent.

An operation to remove some or all of the air cells in the bone behind the ear (the ‘mastoid process of the temporal bone) when they have become infected.

Surgical excision of the mastoid sinuses used to treat mastoiditis when it has not responded to antibiotic therapy. Recurrent or persistent infections (e.g., cholesteatoma) or signs of intracranial complications (meningitis) are reasons for surgical treatment. The operation may be simple, involving complete removal of the mastoid sinuses, or radical, involving the middle ear, often with surgical reconstruction of the eardrum.