Mastoidectomy

Mastoidectomy is an operationto remove diseasefrom the bonebehind the ear, when medical management is inadequate. There need not be drainage or ear pain for mastoiddiseaseto exist. Sometimes a mastoidectomy is required in order to gain better exposure to the middle ear and attic.

Although complications do not often occur, they include persistent ear drainage, infection in the mastoid cavity, and hearing losswhich may be permanent. Facial nerve injury (paralysisof the face on the side of the surgery) is a rare but potential hazard in mastoid surgery. There may be dizziness for a short time after surgery, but it is rarely permanent. Loss of tasteon the side of the tongue usually lasts a few weeks but may be permanent. In extremely rare instances, brain infection (meningitis) has been known to occur. In certain instances, when the mastoid cavity is left open (as in a radical or modified radical mastoidectomy), the ear should be kept dry and swimming is not allowed.

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastoidectomy Wikipedia article Mastoidectomy.