Download Mastoidectomy - East Cheshire NHS Trust

colour, or it begins to smell
unpleasant, you will need to see an
ENT doctor.
You will need to keep your ear dry until
you have seen the doctor. When
showering or washing your hair, you
should:
• put a piece of cotton wool with
Vaseline on it in your ear; or
• place a plastic cup over your
ear. You may need some help.
We recommend you have two weeks
off work or school. A sick note will be
provided on request.
Do's and Don'ts:
• Don't get your ear wet.
• Do check with the ENT doctor if
you are planning any air travel.
• Don't mix with people who have
coughs and colds.
• Do sneeze through your mouth,
if you can. Sneezing through the
nose can cause excess pressure
in your ear.
• Don't blow your nose for at least
two weeks.
• Don't touch the dressing inside
your ear.
• Don't stick anything inside your
ear.
Comments, compliments or
complaints
We welcome any suggestions
you have about the quality of our
care and our services.
Contact us:
Freephone: 0800 1613997
Phone:
01625 661449
Textphone: 01625 663723
Customer Care, Reception,
Macclesfield District General
Hospital, Victoria Road,
SK10 3BL
Email:
[email protected]
For large print, audio, Braille
version or translation contact
Patient & Public Involvement on
0800 195 494.
NHS Direct (part of NHS Choices) is a 24 hr
phone advice service providing confidential
health advice and information.
Phone: 0845 4647
(Textphone 0845 606 46 47)
www.nhs.uk
East Cheshire NHS Trust is committed to ensuring
that patients and staff will always be
treated with dignity and respect.
There will be no age, disability,
gender, race, sexual orientation or
religious discrimination.
Mastoidectomy 10287 HIAG 08/2018
Mastoidectomy
Patient Information
Ward 2
Macclesfield District General
Hospital
Phone 01625 661002
www.eastcheshire.nhs.uk
Ref: 10287
Review: 08/2013
Introduction
The mastoid is part of the bone that
surrounds the ear. It is filled with many
air cells, which can be likened to the
appearance of an Aero chocolate bar.
If you have repeated ear infections, or
a condition in which skin from the outer
ear becomes trapped in this area, you
may need to have an operation to
remove the diseased part of the
mastoid. This is to try to get rid of
infections and prevent further, more
serious complications.
Hearing
A hearing test will be completed before
your surgery. Surgery may not improve
your hearing, as the disease can affect
the bones which help you to hear.
These bones may have to be removed.
The operation
• A general anaesthetic is usually
required. This means you will be
asleep during the operation.
• You will need to have an empty
stomach before surgery. This
helps prevent any vomiting while
under the anaesthetic.
• If your surgery is to be in the
morning, no food or drinks
containing milk after the midnight
before the operation. Water only
is allowed until 7 am.
• If your surgery is to be in the
afternoon, no food or drinks
containing milk after 8 am. Water
only is allowed until 12 noon.
• You will need to stay in hospital
overnight following your operation,
for observation.
• A small incision will be made
around the top or back of your ear,
so that your ear can be fully
explored. The diseased part will be
removed. If the eardrum is
perforated this may be repaired
with a graft. The opening to the ear
is made wider, to allow a good
view of the operation site after your
surgery.
Complications
There are rare complications with this
surgery. Your ENT doctor should have
explained these.
Please ask if you don't understand
anything.
After the surgery
You may need a drip, until you feel able
to drink. Because surgery takes place
near the part of the ear that controls your
balance, you may sometimes experience
mild dizziness and nausea. This should
settle quite quickly.
Pain
You may experience some pain, or a
feeling of pressure in the ear. Please
tell the nurse, so that painkillers can
be given.
Dressings
• You will have a pack covered in
an antiseptic solution in your
ear. This will stay in your ear for
one to three weeks.
• You will have a turban-like
bandage around your head.
This will stop any bleeding that
may occur. The nurse will
remove this the day after your
operation.
• If all is well, you will be allowed
to go home the day after your
operation.
• You will be given an
appointment to see the doctor in
Outpatients in one week. You
will then have your stitches
removed and your ear checked.
Going home
It is a legal requirement that you do
not drive for 48 hours following a
general anaesthetic, therefore you will
need transport home.
At home
You may have a yellow discharge
from your ear. This is due to the
packing. However, if it changes