Mastoidectomy in Young Children: Is It Safe?Mastoidectomy
1 month ago
My 7-year-old son has had repeated ear infections since childhood, and now the ENT doctor has suggested mastoidectomy because medicines are not working anymore. As parents, we are extremely nervous — he is so small, and the thought of surgery on his ear terrifies us. Is it safe for children this young, and will it affect his hearing or future development in any way?
Answers (1)
It is completely understandable to feel anxious when surgery is advised for such a young child, but mastoidectomy in children is a well-established and safe procedure when performed by a skilled ENT surgeon. Repeated infections can affect hearing and speech development at this age, so timely surgery actually protects his overall growth and learning. The operation is done under general anesthesia with close monitoring, and children usually recover faster than adults. While there can be some impact on hearing depending on the extent of infection, the goal of surgery is to remove the disease and preserve as much hearing as possible. With proper follow-up care and, if needed, later reconstruction of the hearing bones, most children go on to live normal, active lives with no effect on their schooling, sports, or development.
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