Surgery for Cholesteatoma
This webpage will give you information about surgery for a
cholesteatoma. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or
other relevant health professional.
What is a cholesteatoma?
A cholesteatoma is where a sac of dead skin cells forms in a
pocket in the middle ear. The cholesteatoma will slowly get bigger
and eventually fill the middle ear and mastoid bone (see figure 1).
The cholesteatoma can cause an unpleasant-smelling discharge and
loss of hearing.
Figure 1:
What are the benefits of surgery?
The aims of surgery are to remove the cholesteatoma and stop the
discharge. It may be possible to improve your hearing at the same
time.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
Regular cleaning and antibiotics will help to keep any
unpleasant-smelling discharge or infection under control.
What does the operation involve?
The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and
usually takes between two and two and a half hours.
Your surgeon will make a cut in front of or behind your ear.
They will remove bone from around the cholesteatoma to see where it
has spread to and remove it.
Your surgeon may need to remove the bone of your ear canal. If
this happens, they will shape the bone behind your ear (mastoid
bone) into a cavity that opens into your ear and make a graft for
your eardrum.
What complications can happen?
General complications of any operation
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Unsightly scarring
- Blood clots
Specific complications of this operation
- Hearing loss
- Damage to the facial nerve
- Change of taste
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus
- Ear discharge
- Allergic reaction
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home the following day. You should stay
off work for about three weeks. If your surgeon needed to shape
your mastoid bone into a cavity, you will probably need to go to
the outpatient clinic several times in the first few months until
the cavity has healed completely. Most people are able to swim
after surgery. Regular exercise should help you to return to normal
activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, you
should ask a member of the healthcare team or your GP for advice.
If the bone of your ear canal was not removed, some cholesteatoma
may be left behind.
Summary
A cholesteatoma can damage your ear and cause serious
complications. Surgery is the only way you can be cured.
Acknowledgements
Author: Miss Ruth Capper MD FRCS (ORL-HNS)
Illustrations: Hannah Ravenscroft RM
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2008 EIDO Healthcare
Limited
The operation and treatment information on this website is
produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by Ramsay Health
Care UK.
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You may not copy, print out, download or otherwise reproduce any
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The information should not replace advice that your relevant
health professional would give you.