Mastoidectomy in Ranchi
Surgical treatment for selected chronic ear infections, cholesteatoma and mastoid disease when infection or abnormal tissue extends beyond the middle ear and cannot be controlled safely with medicines alone.
What is a mastoidectomy?
A mastoidectomy is an ear operation that removes infected or diseased air cells from the mastoid bone behind the ear. It is commonly performed for cholesteatoma or persistent chronic ear disease that has spread into the mastoid and may threaten hearing, balance, facial nerve function or nearby structures.
When is mastoid surgery considered?
- Cholesteatoma involving the middle ear or mastoid.
- Persistent foul-smelling ear discharge despite treatment.
- Chronic ear infection with bone disease.
- Complications from long-standing middle-ear infection.
- Recurrent mastoid infection.
- Disease affecting hearing bones or nearby structures.
- Previous ear surgery with recurrent disease.
Symptoms that may suggest chronic ear or mastoid disease
Common symptoms
- Persistent or recurrent ear discharge.
- Hearing loss.
- Ear pain or pressure.
- Bad smell from ear discharge.
- Repeated ear infections.
- Feeling of fullness in the ear.
Seek urgent review if
- There is swelling behind the ear.
- Severe headache or fever develops.
- Facial weakness appears.
- There is severe vertigo.
- Hearing suddenly worsens.
- There are neurological symptoms.
How is mastoid disease evaluated?
Evaluation may include microscopic or endoscopic ear examination, hearing tests and imaging. CT of the temporal bone is commonly used when the extent of disease needs to be mapped before surgery. The surgeon also assesses the eardrum, ossicles and whether hearing reconstruction may be possible.
Different operations are used for different disease patterns
Removal of diseased mastoid air cells while preserving the ear canal wall where appropriate.
Disease is cleared while maintaining the posterior ear canal wall in selected cases.
The ear canal and mastoid are combined into a larger cavity when extensive disease requires wider access.
Used in selected cholesteatoma cases to control disease while preserving useful hearing where possible.
Mastoid surgery may be combined with eardrum and ossicular reconstruction.
Performed when disease recurs after previous ear surgery.
Your mastoidectomy journey
Mastoidectomy is usually performed under general anaesthesia.
The surgeon reaches the mastoid through an incision behind or around the ear.
Infected bone and cholesteatoma are carefully removed.
The eardrum or hearing bones may be reconstructed when clinically appropriate.
The wound is closed and an ear dressing or packing may be placed.
Will mastoidectomy improve hearing?
The first priority is to remove unsafe disease and create a dry, stable ear. Hearing may improve if reconstruction is possible, but some patients may have unchanged or reduced hearing depending on the extent of disease, damage to the ossicles and inner-ear function.
Disease control takes priority over hearing improvement when cholesteatoma threatens nearby structures.
Before mastoidectomy
- ENT examination and ear microscopy/endoscopy.
- Pure-tone audiometry or other hearing tests.
- CT temporal bone when indicated.
- Review of previous ear surgeries.
- Pre-anaesthesia assessment.
- Blood tests and medication review.
- Treatment of active infection if required before surgery.
Recovery after mastoid surgery
Early recovery
Mild pain, blocked-ear sensation, temporary dizziness or blood-stained discharge may occur. Dressings or ear packing are usually removed according to the surgeon's schedule.
Longer-term recovery
Healing can take several weeks. Canal-wall-down procedures may require long-term cavity care and periodic ENT cleaning.
After discharge
- Keep the operated ear dry until cleared.
- Use medicines and ear drops exactly as prescribed.
- Avoid nose blowing or heavy straining if advised.
- Attend scheduled ear cleaning and follow-up.
- Do not insert earbuds or objects into the ear.
- Seek medical attention for high fever, severe vertigo, facial weakness or worsening pain.
What risks should patients understand?
Possible complications include bleeding, infection, temporary or permanent hearing loss, dizziness, taste disturbance, tinnitus, facial nerve injury, persistent ear discharge, recurrent cholesteatoma, cerebrospinal fluid leak and the possible need for revision surgery. Serious complications are uncommon but must be discussed before surgery.
Understanding mastoidectomy cost
Final cost depends on the type of mastoidectomy, extent of cholesteatoma, hearing reconstruction, prosthesis use, CT imaging, anaesthesia, room category and length of stay.
Get exact estimateCoverage depends on diagnosis, medical necessity, reconstruction requirements, policy or scheme rules, empanelment and pre-authorisation.
Why choose Hopewell for mastoidectomy?
Diagnosis, hearing testing, surgery and follow-up are coordinated within one service.
CT temporal bone can be used to map disease extent before surgery.
Reconstruction is considered when disease control and anatomy allow.
Structured peri-operative monitoring and surgical safety.
Long-term cleaning and surveillance are integrated into follow-up.
Support for cashless, TPA and eligible government scheme processes.
Meet the ENT specialist
Dr XXX
ENT & Ear Surgery • Hopewell Hospital, Ranchi
Clinical focus may include chronic ear disease, mastoidectomy, cholesteatoma surgery, tympanoplasty, hearing restoration and ENT surgery.
Frequently asked questions
Mastoidectomy is usually done to remove chronic infection or cholesteatoma from the mastoid and middle ear and prevent further complications.
Persistent ear discharge or cholesteatoma diagnosis?
Book an ENT consultation with Dr XXX to review your hearing tests and imaging and understand whether mastoidectomy or another ear procedure is appropriate.
*Procedure time, hospital stay and recovery are indicative and vary by individual clinical condition. This page is for patient education and does not replace medical consultation.