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mastoidectomy info please

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mulbs Jul 2014 4:51pm, 28 Jul 2014 10,683 posts	Quote Pin mulbs hello medical peeps my 11-y-o son went to have a grommet fitted today after an ear infection that wouldn't give up, but the consultant found that the infection was more deep seated than he could tackle and so is referring him onwards. it would be good to have some idea of what to expect in terms of pain afterwards and recovery time as he is due to start senior school in September. Cheers
oi you Jul 2014 11:09pm, 28 Jul 2014 234 posts	Quote Pin oi you I'm not medical peeps, but I have had a mastoidectomy. So I'll count that as being qualified to comment. I'd had many years of ear infection (sea swimming, sadly) so the infection was quite well established. My op was nearly 20 years ago, so the memory of it has faded a bit. I didn't experience a great deal of persistent pain at all, to be fair. The bandaging, and its removal along with the stitches was quite uncomfortable at the time. Much of that will be different these days though. I had about 2 or 3 weeks off work, during which I was told to take it a bit easy. That again may be different, especially for a youngster who's going to heal more quickly that a 40+ man. Hope it all goes well.
oi you Jul 2014 11:43pm, 28 Jul 2014 235 posts	Quote Pin oi you I meant to add that the major after effect I experienced was a persistant metallic taste in my mouth. This took a few years before it faded, or I got used to it. It was probably a consequence of damage, probably minor, to the facial nerve as this passes through that area of the skull.
mulbs Jul 2014 9:25am, 29 Jul 2014 10,684 posts	Quote Pin mulbs Thanks oi you A school friend of my son's had the op a couple of months ago and was off school for two weeks, so I think that while the procedure itself may have changed a bit in the 20 years it sounds like the after effects are likely to be much the same I hate to think of him going through it, I know there are worse things but even so . . . Thanks again
JohnnyO Jul 2014 11:17am, 29 Jul 2014 17,739 posts	Quote Pin JohnnyO Not that painful. Nausea and vomiting are the bigger problem, but only for a few days. Facial nerve damage is less common than it used to be as it is specifically monitored for during the procedure (or it is whenever I have done one). Shouldnt be problem for school in September, as long as they crack on with it.
mulbs Jul 2014 11:36am, 29 Jul 2014 10,685 posts	Quote Pin mulbs thanks JohnnyO - although have just found out it's looking unlikely to be pre-school starts, surgeon we're being referred to operates once a week . . .
mulbs Oct 2014 8:23pm, 6 Oct 2014 10,779 posts	Quote Pin mulbs hello again My boy is scheduled for his mastoidectomy (including removal of a cholesteatoma next Wednesday (15th). He has been a bit congested for a couple of weeks (not an absolute snot monster, just a bit congested) and when he tries to clear his nose by blowing it I can hear noises from his ear. What I'd like to ask you medical professionals is if I need to whip him to the docs to try and get him dried up or if I'm worrying unnecessarily.
Diogenes Jun 2019 1:19pm, 25 Jun 2019 37,944 posts	Quote Pin Diogenes I'm not a medical person but I'd be inclined to go to the doctor. I hope all goes well with his op.
lammo Jun 2019 1:22pm, 25 Jun 2019 9,819 posts	Quote Pin lammo I think you were a bit slow off the mark with that advice Dio Mulbs, how did it go?
Diogenes Jun 2019 1:24pm, 25 Jun 2019 37,945 posts	Quote Pin Diogenes Oh! I've just realised I clicked on a related thread and then completely forgot it was something old!