What is removed in radical mastoidectomy?

A radical mastoidectomy is a canal wall down mastoidectomy in which the tympanic membrane and ossicles are not reconstructed, thus exteriorizing the middle ear and the mastoid. The eustachian tube is often obliterated with soft tissue to reduce the risk of a chronic otorrhea.

How long does it take to recover from cholesteatoma surgery?

Three weeks following surgery the patient will place ear drops on the packing, helping it dissolve. The patient may return to week in 3-7 days. Healing may take 6-8 weeks. Hearing improvement may not be noted for 2-3 months.

How serious is cholesteatoma surgery?

Although surgery is rarely urgent, once a cholesteatoma is found, surgical treatment is the only choice. Surgery usually involves a mastoidectomy to remove the disease from the bone, and tympanoplasty to repair the eardrum.

What is the success rate of cholesteatoma surgery?

Surgical management of cholesteatoma and reconstruction of the ear in a single surgery is a highly successful procedure for the total eradication of cholesteatoma. In this series, total elimination of the disease was achieved in 93% of patients undergoing this intervention.

Is modified radical mastoidectomy safe?

These results indicate that when properly performed, modified radical mastoidectomy provides safe surgical access and clears disease with low recurrence rates while mostly maintaining or improving hearing.

How will I feel after cholesteatoma surgery?

Patients sometimes experience dizziness and nausea after cholesteatoma surgery. Some mild unsteadiness and brief dizziness with head turning is not uncommon. If dizziness is marked, do not get up without assistance. If dizziness is present, carefully increase walking every day.

Is a cholesteatoma a brain tumor?

Overview. Cholesteatoma is a problem involving skin of the eardrum or ear canal growing into middle ear and its surrounding areas. Its name is misleading as it is not a tumor however, if left untreated, it can become invasive and destructive.

Can you hear after cholesteatoma surgery?

At two to four months after surgery, the middle ear fluid reaction to surgery gradually clears. The hearing may fluctuate as the ear crackles and pops open. Sometimes, taste disturbance occurs, but usually clears within a few weeks to a few months. It can be permanent, especially if disease surrounds the taste nerve.

Is a cholesteatoma serious?

Cholesteatomas are growths that develop in the middle ear. Symptoms may be mild at the start, but they can include recurring ear infections. If a person does not receive treatment, a cholesteatoma can cause a number of complications, such as hearing loss and imbalance, and it may even be fatal.