Mastoidectomy

A mastoidectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of part or all of the mastoid bone, which is located behind the ear. The mastoid bone is part of the skull, and it contains air spaces connected to the middle ear. This surgery is typically performed to treat infections or complications that have affected the mastoid bone, such as chronic ear infections (chronic otitis media), cholesteatoma (abnormal skin growth in the ear), or mastoiditis (inflammation of the mastoid bone).

There are different types of mastoidectomy, including:

1. Simple mastoidectomy – Removal of infected mastoid air cells.
2. Canal wall-up mastoidectomy – Removal of the infected mastoid cells while preserving the ear canal wall.
3. Canal wall-down mastoidectomy – Removal of both the mastoid cells and part of the ear canal wall to improve access for drainage.

The procedure aims to clear up infections, prevent future complications, and sometimes improve hearing if the middle ear structures are involved. It is usually performed under general anesthesia.