Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 02/17/2009
Complications do not often occur, but they may include:
- persistent ear discharge
- infections, including meningitis or brain abscesses
- hearing loss
- facial nerve injury (This is a rare complication.)
- temporary...
dizziness - temporary loss of taste on the side of the tongue
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Other Information
Definition
Mastoidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove an infected portion of the bone behind the ear when medical treatment is not effective. This surgery is rarely needed today because of the widespread use of antibiotics.
Purpose
Mastoidectomy is performed to remove infected air cells within the mastoid bone caused by mastoiditis, ear infection, or an inflammatory disease of the middle ear (cholesteatoma). The cells are open spaces containing air that are located throughout the mastoid bone. They are connected to a cavity in the upper part of the bone, which is in turn connected to the middle ear. As a result, infections in the middle ear can sometimes spread through the mastoid bone. When antibiotics cannot clear this infection, it may be necessary to remove the infected air cells by surgery. Mastoidectomies are also performed sometimes to repair paralyzed facial nerves.
Other Information
In 2006, estimates of the direct medical costs of allergic rhinitis in the US ranged from $1.16 billion to $4.5 billion, rising to $7.7 billion when indirect costs were included.
From: AHRQ
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