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Cholesteatoma and Its Treatment (Chronic Ear Infection)

Cholesteatoma is a tissue disorder that develops in the middle ear and, if left untreated, can lead to severe hearing loss and infections. It often results from chronic ear infections.

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Why Does Cholesteatoma Require Surgery?

Cholesteatoma is an inflammatory, growing mass or cyst that forms due to an accumulation of abnormal skin cells in the middle ear or mastoid bone. This accumulation can damage the middle ear and surrounding bone tissue, leading to severe complications if untreated.

Reasons for Surgery:

  1. Destructive Growth: As cholesteatoma grows, it can damage the structures in the middle ear, leading to hearing loss, dizziness, and facial nerve damage.
  2. Inflammation and Infection: Cholesteatoma can cause recurrent ear infections. If these infections are not controlled, they may lead to serious complications such as meningitis.
  3. Hearing Loss: Cholesteatoma can damage the ossicles, which are part of the hearing mechanism, resulting in hearing loss. Surgery aims to protect or repair these structures.
  4. Facial Nerve Paralysis: Cholesteatoma growth can compress the facial nerve, causing facial paralysis, which can be prevented or treated with surgery.
  5. Risk of Brain Infection: If left untreated, cholesteatoma may erode bone structures and spread to areas near brain tissue, which can be life-threatening.

Surgery aims to completely remove the cholesteatoma and repair any damaged structures. If untreated, cholesteatoma can cause permanent hearing loss and other serious health issues, so surgery is typically required.

What Are the Risks of Surgery?

Possible complications include anesthesia-related risks, hearing loss, dizziness, and facial nerve damage.

How Long Does the Surgery Take?

Surgery usually takes 2 to 4 hours, depending on the extent of the cholesteatoma.

What Is the Recovery Process Like After Surgery?

The recovery process after cholesteatoma surgery depends on the patient’s overall health, the scope of the surgery, and the procedures performed during surgery. Generally, the recovery process proceeds as follows:

First Few Days:

  • Hospital Discharge: Most patients are discharged on the day of surgery or the day after. Some may stay in the hospital overnight for observation.
  • Pain and Discomfort: Mild to moderate pain and discomfort may be felt post-surgery. The doctor will prescribe pain relievers to manage this.
  • Dizziness and Balance Issues: Patients may experience dizziness and balance issues, especially if middle ear structures were involved. These symptoms usually subside within a few days.

First Week:

  • Rest: Patients are advised to rest during the first week and avoid strenuous activities. Refraining from vigorous activities and sudden head movements is essential.
  • Ear Care: Dressings and packing placed in the ear canal during surgery are usually removed after a week. During this period, the doctor will advise you to keep water out of the ear.
  • Infection Risk: Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection. Your doctor will inform you about recognizing signs of infection.

2–4 Weeks After Surgery:

Returning to Daily Life: Most patients can resume normal daily activities by the second or third week post-surgery. However, full recovery time may vary by individual.

Hearing Evaluation: A few weeks after surgery, the doctor may perform hearing tests to assess your hearing. Some patients experience significant improvement, while others may recover more gradually.

Long-Term Follow-Up:

Regular Checkups: Regular follow-up visits with your doctor are essential after cholesteatoma surgery. In the first year post-surgery, checkups are scheduled at intervals to monitor for recurrence.

Possible Second Surgery: In rare cases, cholesteatoma may recur, necessitating a second surgery. This is monitored during regular follow-ups.

Lifestyle Recommendations:

Ear Hygiene: Be cautious about getting water in your ear during baths and use earplugs recommended by your doctor.

Balance and Movement: Patients with dizziness and balance issues should avoid sudden movements during recovery and move carefully.

The recovery process after cholesteatoma surgery is generally positive, but individual differences may occur. If you experience any issues or unexpected situations, contact your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cholesteatoma

How will my hearing be affected after surgery?

Some patients with hearing loss may experience improvement in hearing post-surgery, but full recovery cannot always be expected.

Yes, cholesteatoma can recur, so regular follow-up is essential.

Yes, it is generally performed under general anesthesia.

There may be pain after surgery, but it is usually manageable with medication.

Untreated cholesteatoma can lead to serious complications, such as hearing loss, facial nerve paralysis, or brain infections.

Most patients may need to stay overnight in the hospital.

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Serap Ince
5.0
12 May 2025

I have been having serious difficulties breathing for a long time due to nasal congestion. My nasal passages were almost completely blocked. As a result of my detailed research, Prof. Dr. I had the opportunity to meet Mehmet Deniz Yılmaz. From the first examination, his professionalism, knowledge and sincere approach gave me great confidence. My surgery was extremely successful. The discomforts I experienced due to polyps have completely disappeared. I can breathe easily now. I cannot thank the doctor and his team enough. I would like to thank each and every one of them for their care and attention during this process.Prof. Dr. I recommend Mehmet Deniz Yılmaz and his team wholeheartedly.Thank you, dear Doctor. Thank you very much 🙏🏻

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Özgür Şanver
5.0
16 April 2025

When it comes to the teacher, he is the best in Antalya. How many places have I been to, how many doctors have I seen, what have I suffered over the years? Many doctors in Ankara, Istanbul, Antalya, none of them could even provide relief. May God bless my teacher Mustafa. We found him on the ground while looking for him in the sky. I recommend him to everyone with Meniere's disease.

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Kamile Yağcı
5.0
16 April 2025

My wife had apnea and snoring problems. Before Mustafa, other doctors said that about 5 different surgeries would need to be performed. We were worried and searched for another doctor. Looking at the comments here, we trusted Mustafa Hodja. Thank God, he said about 3 months ago that only closed nose surgery would be enough, and over time, the apnea would go away on its own. The surgery lasted 2.5 hours. My wife was discharged in the evening. There was no bruise or swelling on her face. She recovered within a week and returned to work. Meanwhile, his snoring decreased significantly and his apnea disappeared. Well done to our teacher. He is a very professional doctor and we recommend him to everyone.

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Esma Yılmaz
5.0
13 April 2025

My 2.5-year-old daughter could not breathe and her sleep was interrupted due to her adenoid problem. It was resolved in about 1 hour. Even right after the surgery, he started breathing very easily. Thank you so much, I'm glad to have you

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Hatice Yılmaz
5.0
3 April 2025

We would like to thank our doctor and thank Ms. Ayşegül for her support before and after the surgery. I wish you a healthy day.

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Fatma Kılıç
5.0
18 March 2025

My teacher Mustafa came across it while researching on the internet. I had a unilateral parotid tumor, the other doctors I went to scared me so much, that's why I was avoiding surgery for two years. I read the comments of my teacher Mustafa and the fact that he operated on a patient like me made me more comfortable. I had surgery on March 7. I am very glad that I met my teacher Mustafa and came across him. May God bless him, I recommend him to everyone.

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Samet Bayar
5.0
12 March 2025

As a result of the hearing test performed at a Private Hospital I went to, I was told that I had hearing loss due to arthritis in my ear and that I needed to use a hearing aid. When I asked if there was another treatment for this, the answer given was that the only solution was hearing aids. This result did not satisfy me, so I wanted to research the best ENT Doctor in Antalya on the internet. The first name I came across was Prof. Dr. Mustafa Deniz Yılmaz was my teacher. As a result of our preliminary meeting with him and professional hearing tests, he stated that I would regain my hearing with the Otosclerosis Surgery he would perform without using a device. As a result of the trust given by my doctor, I decided to have surgery. My surgery went very well, my quality of life improved because I can hear very well now. I would like to thank my esteemed teacher and his valuable team for their interest and concern during this period. Definitely benefit from my valuable teacher's experiences, you will never regret it...

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Ecem Taş
5.0
11 March 2025

With hearing loss due to vertigo, I went to Mustafa Bey's clinic as a result of his advice and research on the internet. As a result of the treatment, I regained my hearing. Another hospital said that you will get a hearing aid and there is nothing to do after that. I would like to thank him very much from here. The staff is excellent, they are all smiling and kind people. I'm glad I came across this place. If you have such problems, be sure to go to Mr. Mustafa and his team without wasting your time looking for other places.

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Mehmet Ali Emirdar
5.0
5 February 2025

I am Ferah Emirdar, one side of my nostril was closed, I could hardly breathe, I was acting aggressively, the sinusitis I had been suffering from for years was a separate problem. When I went for the examination, I made my decision, I had the surgery, it was very successful and not what I feared. The first thing I said after removing the tampon was, "Are you breathing like this?" I became a calm person, my sleep improved, I fell asleep immediately, I had no nerves left because I slept well, and my sinusitis and nasal congestion were gone. I would like to thank your patience and team during this process. I am also happy to have met you.

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sümeyra gültekin
5.0
5 February 2025

I went to Mustafa Hodja with the recommendation of a friend, and after my examination, I had 2 parotid tumor surgeries, one month apart. Both surgeries were successful. I felt at ease each time with the explanations Mustafa Deniz Hodja made both before and after the surgery. Thanks to Mustafa Hodja's self-confidence and the intense interest of his assistants, I went through the surgery very comfortably. Thank you Mustafa Hodja and his friendly team.

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Bedirhan Çelik
5.0
31 January 2025

I have been suffering from vertigo dizziness for 9 years. I was at a point where I could not do work at home. There was no doctor left that I did not go to. Finally, I went to my doctor, Mustafa Deniz. We started my treatment and I was very pleased with his care and attention. Now I am very well. I have been suffering from this dizziness for years. God bless you. I feel like I was born again. I am glad to have you, my teacher. I recognized

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Ömer Kahraman
5.0
21 January 2025

I am 34 years old. I have been having problems with infection and hearing loss due to ruptured eardrum since the age of 10. I wanted to have surgery and I went to many doctors. None of them were positive about me having surgery. They said my ears would not be healed with surgery. They recommended hearing aids. Upon the advice of a friend, I met Mustafa. He performed a very successful surgery. My hearing was cured. I got rid of the infection. Thank you very much for everything.

Anesthesia Type: General

Operation Time: 2-3 Hours

Pain: Mild

Length of hospital stay: 1 night

Recovery Time 7 days

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