Mastoidectomy/Stapedectomy
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MastoidectoMy/ stapedectoMy/ Myringoplasty/ tyMpanoplasty St. Vincent’s Factsheet What is a mastoidectomy? What will happen on the day of my Surgery? A mastoidectomy is the removal of the mastoid bone. We ask that you shower before you come to hospital, and remove your jewellery, make up and nail polish. What is a stapedectomy? It is advised that you leave valuables such as jewellery A stapedectomy is the removal of the stapes bone and large sums of money at home to decrease the within the middle ear to improve hearing loss. possibility of items being misplaced and theft. What is a myringoplasty? On the day of your surgery, please make your way to the St. Vincent’s Day of Surgery Admission Area, which A myringoplasty is the repair of the tympanic is located on the first floor of the In-patient Services membrane to relieve pressure or infection causing Building, Princes Street, Fitzroy. hearing loss following perforation of the membrane. When you arrive the nursing staff will check your pulse What is a tympanoplasty? and blood pressure. A tympanoplasty is a procedure to reconstruct the For your surgery you will need an anaesthetic. tympanic membrane (ear drum) and / or middle ear The anaesthetist (the doctor who will give you the bone as the result of infection or trauma. anaesthetic) will meet with you before your surgery to talk to you about your health and the best anaesthetic What happens before my operation? for you. A general anaesthetic (anaesthetic that puts Before surgery some patients attend a pre-admission you to sleep) is normally used for this surgery. clinic. At the clinic, the health care team will ask you about your health, medication and lifestyle. St. Vincent’s is a busy hospital so please be aware They may test your blood, take x-rays and an that you may need to wait up to three hours for your electrocardiogram (ECG). operation. Your doctor will talk to you about what medications What happens during the surgery? to take before you come into hospital. It is important Mastoidectomy to tell your doctor if you are taking any blood thinning A surgical cut (incision) is made behind the ear, the medications, such as aspirin or warfarin. mastoid bone is then exposed and opened with Please bring your medications into hospital with you. a surgical drill. The infection or growth is then removed The staff will let you know about what to bring to and the incision is closed using stitches under the skin. hospital, and when to stop eating and drinking before A small dressing is then placed over the area. your surgery. Stapedectomy If you do not need to attend a pre-admission clinic, Using a special microscope into the ear canal, the we will telephone and tell you when you are scheduled eardrum is gently lifted and the diseased and fixed for your operation and what to bring to hospital. stapes is then removed. The eardrum is gently put back You may also receive a letter informing you of your and held in place by absorbable packing ointment. time and date of surgery. Myringoplasty & Tympanoplasty Please make sure you confirm your date of surgery. The surgery is either performed through the ear canal or through the skin at the back of the ear. Using a graft, The night before your surgery, the hospital will call taken from your own tissue around the ear, the hole you between 2.30pm and 7pm to inform you of the or middle ear bone in your eardrum is then mended. time you need to stop eating and drinking before your surgery and what time to come into hospital. A dressing called a wick is left inside the ear canal and is usually removed after a few days. These operations normally take 1 hour. Factsheet July 2007 MastoidectoMy/ stapedectoMy/ Myringoplasty/ tyMpanoplasty continued What happens after the operation? What should I do once I get home? You will wake up from the anaesthetic in the recovery – Your doctor may recommend 1 week off work room, and be transferred to your ward shortly after the operation to give your body the best chance afterwards. A nurse will monitor your blood pressure, of recovery. pulse, temperature & oxygen levels regularly. – Avoid doing any strenuous activity, especially lifting The nurses will monitor your ear wounds after surgery anything heavy (lift no more than 2-3kgs, like a bag to make sure there is no bleeding. of oranges) for 2 weeks. – Avoid sport for 2 weeks. You may have an oxygen mask on to help you breathe’ – Do not smoke. and an intravenous drip (IV) in your arm giving you fluid. This will be removed once you are tolerating your If you notice any discharge, swelling, hardness or food and drink. You will not be permitted to eat and redness on or around your wound or if you experience drink until four hours after surgery. This is because you any other problems related to your surgery go to may feel sick, vomit or have pain after your surgery. the nearest emergency department or your local GP as soon as possible. Your pain may be treated in a number of ways. This will be decided by you, your doctors and nurses depending Contacts on the type of pain you have. You may be given tablets Ear, Nose and Throat Unit or an injection to help you feel better. St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne It is important not to blow your nose and not to get PO Box 2900 the ear wet until it has completely healed. Fitzroy Victoria 3065 Telephone: 9288 2211 When can I go home? Liason Nurse: 9288 2755 You will be required to stay in hospital for one night Waiting List Officer: 9288 2271 and will be able to go home the morning after your operation. This information is intended as a guideline only. Patients are usually discharged between 10am and If you have further questions or concerns, please ask 11am so the room can be prepared for another patient. your doctor. Before you leave the ward someone will: – Make a follow-up appointment at St. Vincent’s Clinics for you. – A letter will be electronically sent from the hospital to your local doctor (GP) – Give you medication, if the doctor prescribes it. – Give you a medical certificate if needed (you will need to ask). Please remember to take all your belongings and x-rays home with you. Factsheet July 2007.