Trepanation of the Mastoid Process

The mastoid process is a bone that is located behind the ear, tightly adjacent to the mastoid cells and serving as an attachment point for muscles and ligaments. It contains an air sac filled with air that protects the body from excessive pressure from external sound stimuli. Over time, the air sac can fail, causing various health problems. For example, otitis media (an ear infection affecting the middle ear) or malignancy in this area. To treat these problems, doctors may resort to trephination of the mastoid process, which is one of the most common types of surgeries in otolaryngology. Let's find out in more detail how the procedure goes and how long it takes.

What is a mastoid trephine?

Trephination of the mastoid bone is a surgical procedure aimed at removing mass from the affected

Trepanation of the mastoid process or mastoid perforation is an operation consisting of the formation of a second or third (usually third) window from the side of the external auditory canal and removal of part of the massive detachable abscess through this window.

Complications As a rule, trepanation is not necessary for any complications other than a subdural abscess. Complications during classical simple trepanation occurred in 5.4%. Of these, 3 were subdural abscesses, and the rest were extracranial. Subdural abscess Since direct cannulation of the temporal bone was performed with the same instrument, if cerebrospinal fluid appears from it, there is a risk of its penetration into the surgical area. Data in some articles about 20% of cases of subdural abscesses can be explained by the failure of the previous surgeon with subsequent rejection of the bone window and penetration of cerebrospinal fluid under it