Download Mastoidectomy - Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust

You might have a bandage over your
ear after the operation. The staff on
the ward will advise you on when this
should be removed. There will also be
small dressings inside your ear. These
can sometimes be left to dissolve on their
own over time but sometimes will need
to be removed in clinic after a few weeks.
When having a bath or shower, it is very
important that you keep your ear dry by
using cotton wool covered in Vaseline to
block the ear off.
There might be some stitches behind your
ear. Before you go home, the ward nurses
will advise you whether these need to be
removed or if they can be left to dissolve.
If the stitches are dissolvable, they can
take about two weeks to disappear.
We recommend that you do not travel
by aeroplane for 3 months after your
operation so that we can be sure that
everything has healed and that the
changes in pressure when flying won’t
cause any damaging effects.
© G16022206W. Design Services
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
All Rights Reserved 2016
This document MUST NOT be photocopied
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Unique Identifier: NOE 20 (16)
Review Date: August 2018
For further information on this leaflet, it’s references
and sources used, please contact 0161 206 4756.
Mastoidectomy
Copies of this information are available in other
languages and formats upon request.
In accordance with the Equality Act we will make
‘reasonable adjustments’ to enable individuals
with disabilities, to access this treatment / service.
If you need this interpreting please telephone
Email: [email protected]
Salford Royal operates a smoke-free policy.
Contact Numbers
If you have any questions or problems,
please contact:
Rachel Curran
ENT Specialist Nurse
0161 206 4756
[email protected]
For advice on stopping smoking contact the Hospital
Specialist Stop Smoking Service on 0161 206 1779
Salford Royal NHS
Foundation Trust
Stott Lane,
Salford,
Manchester,
M6 8HD
Telephone
0161 789 7373
www.srft.nhs.uk
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0161 206 4756
What is a Mastoidectomy?
The mastoid is part of the skull that is
behind the ear and contains an air filled
space. This is connected to the middle
ear (space behind the ear drum). The
mastoid can become infected by lots of
infections or a very bad infection of the
middle ear.
A mastoidectomy is an operation to
remove infection or a build-up of dead
skin (cholesteatoma) from the middle
ear and mastoid. The operation is done
under a general anaesthetic which means
you are asleep.
Risks
Hearing Loss
Altered taste
There is a chance that your hearing will
be worse after the operation. Your
surgeon will do everything possible
to protect your hearing during the
operation and will explain how likely this
is to happen when talking to you about
your specific operation and expectations.
The nerve that supplies the taste buds in
the tongue can sometimes be affected by
surgery. Patients sometimes experience a
metallic taste or a numb feeling on their
tongue but this usually improves over
time once the post-operative swelling
and bruising has settled down.
Dizzinesss
Facial weakness
You can sometimes feel dizzy for a
couple of weeks after this operation
and if there are any complications, the
dizziness may last longer.
The nerve that moves the face runs very
close to the area of the operation. It is
possible for this nerve to be injured during
the operation although very unlikely. If
the nerve were injured you may not be
able to move your face on the side of the
operation. This could be temporary or
permanent. The chance of a permanent
facial weakness is about 1 in 1000.
Infection
Infection can sometimes happen after
this operation but it is rare. An infection
after the operation can sometimes be
treated with tablet antibiotics and ear
drops or cream but if it is more severe,
you may need to come in to hospital for
close observation and strong antibiotics
through an intravenous drip. On very
rare occasions, another operation is
necessary to clear the infection.
Mastoid
Bone
Tinnitus
Middle Ear
Healthy Eardrum
Perforated Eardrum
Cholesteatoma
Tinnitus is a ringing, buzzing or other
unusual sound which can occur in one
or both ears. After an operation on the
ears, there is a small chance that you will
experience tinnitus but this may improve
once the ear has fully recovered.
Recurrence of Infection
Unfortunately sometimes infection can
come back and occasionally patients
need further surgery.
After the operation
You can usually go home on the same day
as the operation and someone will need
to collect you from the hospital and stay
with you overnight for the first night.
continued overleaf
© G16022206W. Design Services, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust,
All Rights Reserved 2016. Document for issue as handout.
Unique Identifier: NOE 20 (16). Review date: August 2018.