Mastoidectomy

At HealthHub Clinics in Dubai, our ENT surgeons perform mastoidectomy to treat serious middle ear infections and cholesteatomas, protecting your hearing. Mastoidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove infected air cells from the mastoid bone (the part of the skull just behind your ear). It’s typically done when chronic ear infections or abnormal growths spread into the mastoid and cannot be cleared with medication alone.

What is a Mastoidectomy?

A mastoidectomy is an operation to remove diseased mastoid air cells from the bone behind the ear. It is performed by an ENT surgeon under general anesthesia. Mastoidectomy is often needed to stop a chronic ear infection or to remove a cholesteatoma (a growth in the middle ear that can damage hearing). By clearing out the infected or abnormal tissue, the surgery eliminates the source of infection and prevents serious complications.

Who Might Need a Mastoidectomy?

You may need a mastoidectomy if you have:

Chronic or recurrent ear infections that have spread to the mastoid bone or cause ongoing ear discharge.
Cholesteatoma, a growth in the middle ear/mastoid that must be removed to avoid serious damage.
Mastoiditis (infection of the mastoid bone) that does not respond to antibiotics.
Sometimes mastoidectomy is done as part of other ear surgeries, such as during a cochlear implant procedure or to access a tumor in the ear.

Mastoidectomy is more common in adults, but children can require it as well (for example, a child with a cholesteatoma may need this surgery). Our ENT team at HealthHub is experienced in treating both adult and pediatric patients, ensuring safe, appropriate care.

Types of Mastoidectomy

Canal Wall Up Mastoidectomy: The surgeon removes the infected mastoid cells but keeps the ear canal wall intact. This preserves the normal ear anatomy and avoids creating an open cavity. It’s used when the disease can be fully removed without taking down the canal wall.

Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy: The surgeon removes the diseased mastoid cells and also removes the back wall of the ear canal, creating one open cavity. This approach ensures all infected tissue or cholesteatoma is cleared, but the open cavity requires periodic cleaning and you must keep the ear dry. Canal wall down surgery is often chosen for extensive disease. (A modified radical mastoidectomy is a variation of canal wall down where some middle ear structures are preserved to help maintain hearing.)

Radical Mastoidectomy: An extensive procedure in which the mastoid, the ear canal wall, and most middle ear structures (including the eardrum and hearing bones) are removed. This is only done for the most severe cases and results in permanent hearing loss in the affected ear. Radical mastoidectomy is rarely needed today, since surgeons usually try more conservative techniques to preserve important structures whenever possible.

How Mastoidectomy is Performed

Mastoidectomy is performed under general anesthesia. During the surgery, the ENT surgeon will:

Make an incision behind the ear (or inside the ear canal) to access the mastoid bone.
Remove the diseased tissue using a surgical drill and microscope to open the mastoid and clear out infected cells or cholesteatoma.
Repair ear structures if needed – for example, patching a perforated eardrum or reinforcing the tiny hearing bones.
Close the incision with stitches and place a protective bandage. A small temporary drain might be placed to prevent fluid buildup.

The operation typically takes about 2 to 3 hours. After surgery, you will wake up in a recovery area. Most patients go home the same day, though some may stay overnight for observation.

Recovery After Mastoidectomy

After mastoidectomy surgery:

Dressing and care: Your ear will be bandaged after the operation. The large outer bandage is usually removed the next day. You may have packing inside the ear canal for about a week to protect the healing area.
Discomfort: It is normal to have mild ear pain or a feeling of fullness for a few days. This can be managed with pain medication. A bit of dizziness is common at first, but it usually passes within a day or two.
Activity: Rest at home for the first week. Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, and blowing your nose hard for about two weeks. Keep your ear dry — no swimming, and avoid getting water in that ear when bathing. Most people return to light work or school in roughly 1–2 weeks, as long as they avoid strain.
Follow-up: You will have a follow-up visit 7 days after surgery. The doctor will check your incision, remove any packing or stitches, and ensure your ear is healing well. If you had a canal wall down mastoidectomy, you’ll need periodic cavity cleanings at future appointments to keep it healthy.

Mastoidectomy has a high success rate in resolving chronic ear infections and removing cholesteatomas. Once your ear heals, symptoms like persistent discharge or pain should be gone. If the surgery included repairing the eardrum or ossicles, your hearing can be preserved or even improved.

Why Choose HealthHub Clinics?

Extensive Experience
Advanced Facilities
Affordable premium services
Trusted Al-Futtaim brand

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is mastoidectomy surgery safe?

Yes. Mastoidectomy is generally very safe when performed by an experienced ENT surgeon. Serious complications are rare. We take every precaution to ensure your safety.

How long does it take to recover from a mastoidectomy?

Most people feel close to normal after about one to two weeks of rest. You will need to avoid strenuous activities and keep your ear dry during that initial healing period. The ear continues to heal internally for several weeks. By around 6 to 12 weeks after surgery, the mastoid area is usually fully healed.

Will the surgery affect my hearing?

The primary goal of mastoidectomy is to remove infection and prevent further damage. In many cases, the surgeon also repairs the eardrum or hearing bones during the procedure, which can maintain or even improve your hearing. However, if the disease was extensive and required removing some of these structures (as in a radical mastoidectomy), some hearing loss in that ear is likely. Your surgeon will explain what to expect in your specific case.

Can children undergo mastoidectomy?

Yes. While mastoidectomy is more often performed in adults, it can be done safely in children when needed. Children with chronic ear infections or cholesteatoma may require this surgery. At HealthHub, our ENT team includes pediatric specialists; young patients receive gentle care.