Mastoidectomy Surgery

Mastoidectomy is a surgical procedure where the infected part of the mastoid bone (the bone behind your ear) is cleaned, opened, or removed to stop long-term infections and prevent complications. It is often done for people suffering from chronic ear infections, cholesteatoma, or repeated ear discharge that does not improve with medicines.

Why This Surgery Is Performed

Doctors perform mastoidectomy to:

• Treat chronic ear infections that damage the bone

• Remove cholesteatoma (abnormal skin growth inside the ear)

• Stop continuous ear discharge

• Prevent infection from spreading to the brain

• Improve hearing in many cases

It is an important form of ear infection surgery and part of ENT surgery for ear health.

Importance of Treating Chronic Ear Infections / Cholesteatoma

Untreated infections can:

• Damage the middle ear

• Affect hearing permanently

• Spread to the mastoid bone

• Cause swelling, pain, or dizziness

• Lead to dangerous complications like meningitis

That’s why timely chronic ear infection treatment is essential.

What Is the Mastoid Bone?

The mastoid bone is a hollow, air-filled bone located behind your ear. It contains mastoid air cells that help with healthy ear function.

Where Is It Located?

It sits just behind the outer ear and connects to the middle ear area.

How Infections Reach the Mastoid Area

Long-term middle-ear infections can spread to the mastoid bone through tiny air pockets. Once infected, the bone may swell, damage hearing, or develop cholesteatoma.

Why Mastoidectomy Surgery Is Needed ?

You may need this surgery if:

• You have constant ear discharge

• Medicines are no longer working

• There is a cholesteatoma

• You experience pain or swelling behind the ear

• You have repeat ear infections

• Infection is damaging the bone

It is also recommended when mastoid bone infection treatment becomes urgent.

Types of Mastoidectomy Surgery 

1. Simple Mastoidectomy

Removal of infected air cells while keeping the ear structure intact.

2. Modified Radical Mastoidectomy

Infected bone is cleared and some middle ear structures may be adjusted.

3. Radical Mastoidectomy

Complete cleaning of the mastoid and middle ear in severe infections.

4. Mastoid Air Cells Surgery

Focused cleaning of only the infected air cells.

Who Needs Mastoidectomy Surgery ?

• People with chronic ear infections

• Patients with cholesteatoma

• Someone with persistent ear discharge

• Patients with hearing loss due to infection

• Children or adults with repeated mastoid swelling

Benefits of Mastoidectomy

• Stops long-lasting infections

• Prevents ear discharge

• Protects hearing

• Prevents the spread of infection to the brain

• Improves ear health long-term

Risks and Complications 

All surgeries have some risks like:

• Temporary dizziness

• Ringing sounds

• Change in taste

• Minor bleeding

• Rarely, hearing changes

Doctors at ORL International Hospital work to make risks minimal.

Recovery After Mastoidectomy Surgery

• Most patients return home the same day

• Avoid water entering the ear for 2–3 weeks

• Mild pain or dizziness is normal

• Follow-up visits are needed

• Full healing usually takes 4–6 weeks

Pre-Surgery Evaluation

Before surgery, your ENT specialist will:

• Check ear with microscope

• Do hearing tests

• Conduct CT scan (if needed)

• Review medical history

• Explain surgery and recovery

What the Surgery Involves 

1. You receive anesthesia (you sleep during surgery)

2. A small cut is made behind the ear

3. Doctor removes infected mastoid air cells

4. Cleans cholesteatoma (if present)

5. Repairs eardrum if needed

6. Ear packing is placed

7. Incision is closed

Difference between Tympanoplasty vs Mastoidectomy 

Symptoms of Mastoid Bone Infection

• Constant ear discharge

• Hearing loss

• Pain behind the ear

• Swelling near the ear

• Foul smell from ear

• Dizziness or headache

When to Call a Doctor

Call immediately if:

• Ear discharge continues for weeks

• Pain increases

• You develop fever

• You notice swelling behind the ear

• Hearing suddenly decreases

Why Choose ORL International Hospital?

• Best ENT hospital in Delhi for more than 25+ years

• Experienced ENT surgeons for mastoid surgery and tympanoplasty

• Advanced microscopes & infection-control systems

• High success rate

• Personalized recovery plans

Book Your Advanced Ear Surgery Consultation Today with Orl International Hospital

Ear surgery like Mastoidectomy and Tympanoplasty helps treat long-lasting ear infections, ear discharge, cholesteatoma, and hearing loss. Mastoidectomy removes infection from the mastoid bone, while Tympanoplasty repairs the eardrum. These surgeries stop chronic infections, protect hearing, and prevent serious complications. ORL International Hospital offers safe, advanced ENT surgery for all ear-related problems.