Mastoidectomy for Cholesteatoma: Is It Safe & Effective?Mastoidectomy
2 months ago
My brother has been struggling with foul-smelling ear discharge for almost a year. Medicines and eardrops gave temporary relief, but the infection kept coming back. Now the doctor says it’s cholesteatoma and recommends mastoidectomy. We never thought a simple ear infection could spread to the bone. Is this operation safe, and does it really prevent the infection from spreading further to the brain or causing permanent hearing loss?
Answers (1)
Cholesteatoma is more than just a simple ear infection, it is an abnormal skin growth in the middle ear that can gradually damage the bones of hearing and even spread to the mastoid bone. Medicines usually give only temporary relief because the underlying growth continues to expand silently. Mastoidectomy is done to remove the infected and diseased tissue completely, which helps prevent the infection from spreading to delicate areas like the inner ear or even the brain. The operation is considered safe when performed by an experienced ENT surgeon, and it is the best way to protect your brother from serious complications such as meningitis, brain abscess, or permanent hearing loss. While some degree of hearing damage may already have happened, surgery helps preserve the remaining function and stops the disease from worsening.
Was this answer helpful?
Was this answer helpful?
