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Mastoidectomy
EAR SURGERY ON MASTOID CELLS
Surgery to remove the air-filled honeycomb-like cells in the ear should they become inflamed or infected
What are the problems with mastoid cells?
You may decide to have your mastoid cells removed if they become inflamed or infected. If left untreated, over time you could lose your hearing, your balance organ may be destroyed, and damage to your facial nerve would paralyse the side of your face.
It can also cause brain infections, because the ear is so close to the brain. Therefore it may be necessary to remove your mastoid cells before the condition causes too much damage.
Need to know
The procedure is done under general anaesthetic. The aim is to remove all the disease but preserve as much of the workings of your ear as possible.
You will have a cut either behind your ear, or just in front and above your ear. The mastoid bone is like a bony sponge, full of little pockets that can harbour the infection, so these will need to be removed. After the disease has been removed, a graft will be used to seal up any hole in the eardrum, and packing placed in the ear canal.
There are multiple variations of the mastoid operation, so your consultant will explain the details which apply to you.
Your consultant will advise you on how you should prepare for the procedure. As your surgeon will make a cut either behind your ear, or just in front and above your ear, you may have an area of your head shaved. You should avoid eating or drinking before your general anaesthetic.
You will stay in hospital at least one night after the operation. If the stitches are not dissolveable, they will be removed after one or two weeks. The packing will be removed from your ear after one to three weeks. If you are careful about keeping water away from your operated ear, you can wash your hair after a week.
You should be able to swim about four to six weeks after the operation, depending on how well the operation has healed. You should be able to fly at any time after the operation unless you have also had an operation to improve your hearing at the same time as the mastoid operation. You can check with your consultant.
Our Mastoidectomy consultants
Mr Javier Moraleda
Ear Nose & Throat Surgery (ENT/Otolaryngology)
Mr Anthony Aymat
Ear Nose & Throat Surgery (ENT/Otolaryngology)
Mr Max Whittaker
Ear Nose & Throat Surgery (ENT/Otolaryngology)
Professor Jarrod Homer
Ear Nose & Throat Surgery (ENT/Otolaryngology)
Our Mastoidectomy locations
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David's gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.