A tympanomastoidectomy (say "tim-PAN-oh-mas-toyd-ECK-tuh-mee") is surgery to treat frequent ear infections that have damaged the eardrum and tissue in and near the ear. The doctor will remove the abnormal or infected tissue in the bony area behind the ear. This area is called the mastoid. The doctor will repair the eardrum. The doctor also may repair the three tiny bones in the middle ear that help with hearing.
You will get medicine to make you sleep during the surgery. You will not feel pain. The doctor will do the surgery through a cut (incision) behind your ear. When the doctor has finished the surgery, the incision will be closed with stitches.
You will probably go home on the same day as your surgery. Most people can go back to work or their normal routine in about 1 to 2 weeks. But if your job requires strenuous activity or heavy lifting, you may need to take more time off. Your doctor can help you decide when to go back to work.
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
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A tympanomastoidectomy (say "tim-PAN-oh-mas-toyd-ECK-tuh-mee") is surgery to treat frequent ear infections that have damaged the eardrum and tissue in and near the ear. The doctor removes the abnormal or infected tissue in the bony area behind the ear, called the mastoid. The doctor repairs the eardrum. The doctor also may repair the three tiny bones in the middle ear that help with hearing.
You may feel dizzy for a few days after surgery. The cut (incision) the doctor made behind your ear may be sore. And you may have ear pain for about a week.
Your ear will probably feel blocked or stuffy. This usually gets better as the eardrum heals and after the doctor takes the cotton or gauze out of the ear canal. The doctor will take out the cotton or gauze about 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. Some bloody fluid may drain from your ear for 1 to 2 days after the gauze is removed.
At first, you may notice that things taste different. This is because the nerves that control taste are in the middle ear behind the eardrum. This may get better as the ear heals.
While you are healing, it's important to avoid getting water in your ear. You will also need to avoid activities that may put pressure on your eardrum. This includes flying in an airplane, swimming, scuba diving, or playing contact sports.
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