Mastoidectomía

Mastoidectomía is a surgical procedure involving the removal of infected or diseased tissue from the mastoid bone, which is located behind the ear. This bone is a part of the temporal bone and contains air-filled spaces called mastoid cells. Inflammation or infection of these cells is known as mastoiditis.

The primary reason for performing a mastoidectomía is to treat severe or complicated cases of mastoiditis that do not respond to antibiotic therapy. These infections can lead to serious complications, including hearing loss, damage to the facial nerve, meningitis, or brain abscesses. The surgery aims to eradicate the infection and prevent these potentially life-threatening consequences.

There are different types of mastoidectomía. A simple mastoidectomía involves opening the mastoid bone to drain pus and remove infected tissue while preserving the middle ear structures. A radical mastoidectomía, on the other hand, involves removing the mastoid bone, the middle ear, and the ear canal, typically when the infection has severely damaged these structures. A modified radical mastoidectomía is a compromise, removing the mastoid bone and some middle ear structures while preserving the eardrum and ossicles to maintain some hearing.

The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia. After surgery, patients may experience some pain, drainage from the ear, and temporary hearing changes. Recovery time varies depending on the extent of the surgery, but most patients require several weeks to fully recover. The goal of mastoidectomía is to eliminate infection, preserve or improve hearing, and prevent further complications.