Cholestetoma/mastoidectomy

[palosparkdavid]

I've read several posts on ear problems but nothing specific to mastoidectomy....surgery was 2 years ago & I still have a tube. Would the proear product allow me to return to scuba? Thanks, Dave

 

[scubadoc]

A modified radical mastoidectomy is an operation for chronic ear disease that opens the ear canal to the mastoid cavity by removing the posterior (back) wall of the ear canal. Typically, outer ear canal entrance is enlarged to facilitate cleaning of the cavity created by the mastoidectomy. It is not a great cosmetic deformity, but the opening is, of necessity, larger.

As a diver or swimmer, your cavity is exposed to the entrance of cold water, which will stimulate the balance mechanism of the inner ear to produce vertigo (whirlies), until the water in the cavity is heated to body temperature, usually after about three minutes. This could recur multiple times as you go through thermoclines. There is also risk of infection of the cavity from the water that enters it.

Several devices are available to keep water out of the ear canal and mastoid cavity, but they do not guarantee that no water will get in. (Doc's ProPlugs are vented and allow slow water access and ProEar 2000, a mask that has ear covers and a connection for equalizing requires a learning curve that is often prolonged.) See this thread:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4220&highlight=ProEar+2000


Before diving, it would be wise to consult with your ENT surgeon as this information might not be applicable at all in your case. My personal opinion is that it would be unsafe for you to dive and that you would also jeopardize the safety of others if you required rescue.

For more information you may want to visit our web page at http://scuba-doc.com/entprobs.html .