Middle ear cholesteatoma
Feature Summary
The only way to eliminate the threats for middle ear cholesteatoma is surgery. Traditional methods have a higher rate of cholesteatoma recurrence and complications, with the most significant one being post-surgical facial palsy. This is likely due to poor exposure and visibility of the middle ear and mastoid. Our team routinely performs dual-system (endoscope and microscope) micro-ear surgery. Combining the advantages of both approaches gives us the best chance to remove the disease whilst protecting the facial nerve. Additionally, our “endaural” approach offers the smallest incision and thus, shortest recovery period, as compared to the traditional “postauricular” approach used by most other surgeons.
Overview
Chronic ear infections may cause a perforation of the eardrum (chronic otitis media). This can cause conductive hearing loss. When skin cells from the external ear invade the middle ear and proliferate, it causes a condition called “middle ear cholesteatoma”, which means irregular skin growth behind the eardrum. Another possible way of acquiring a middle ear cholesteatoma is through a retraction pocket above the eardrum. This condition is often associated with a poorly functioning Eustachian tube. In rarer cases, cholesteatoma can be congenital. These conditions require surgery to correct. Our surgeons excel in tympanomastoidectomy, a surgery to remove any abnormalities in the middle ear and repair the eardrum. We use “dual system microsurgery” routinely, combining the advantages of endoscopic and microscopic surgery to eliminate disease and the possibility of recurrence.
Estimated Cost
For estimated medical costs, please contact International Medical Services Center.