For patients in South Africa
Mastoidectomy in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide
A mastoidectomy is an operation to remove infected or diseased air cells from the mastoid bone, which sits behind the ear. It is done for chronic ear disease, and continuity of care matters, because the ear needs checking for months afterwards.
In short: Mastoidectomy removes diseased tissue from the bone behind the ear, usually for chronic middle ear infection or cholesteatoma, while preserving hearing where possible. It may be combined with eardrum repair. Most patients are fit to fly five to seven days after surgery, with the surgeon’s approval. Full recovery takes weeks, so arrange an ENT specialist in South Africa to follow you up.
Last updated: October 2026
Why it is done
A mastoidectomy is usually recommended for chronic middle ear infection (chronic otitis media), cholesteatoma, or infection that has spread into the mastoid bone. Untreated, they can cause discharge, hearing loss, dizziness and, rarely, serious complications nearby. The surgeon removes the diseased tissue while keeping as much healthy bone and hearing function as possible.
Depending on the problem, the operation may be combined with an eardrum repair (tympanoplasty) or reconstruction of the hearing bones. See also the ear treatments guide and the wider ENT surgery guide.
Before you travel
This is surgery for an established disease, so the planning starts with your records. Send the ENT specialist:
- Any CT scan or other imaging of the ear, with the reports
- Hearing test results
- Notes from previous ear operations, your health history and medicines
Ask yourself, before booking, who will look after your ear in South Africa afterwards. A plan with no local ENT follow-up is not a complete plan.
How long to stay, and the flight home
The first few days bring mild pain, swelling, dizziness, tiredness and fullness, managed with medication. The ear stays dressed and dry, and you avoid strenuous activity, lifting and nose blowing. Around days four to seven the dressing is changed or removed at a check-up; you still avoid swimming, lifting and pressure on the ear.
Most patients are fit to fly five to seven days after surgery, subject to the surgeon’s approval. Pressure changes during a flight affect the ear, and the trip home is long: around ten hours from Istanbul to Johannesburg or Cape Town, plus the domestic leg from İzmir. Book a return ticket you can change.
- Flights: direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Istanbul take around ten hours, followed by a short domestic flight to İzmir
- Visa: South Africans apply for an e-Visa online before travelling; see the e-Visa guide
- Recovery: patients recover at Mandarin Grove, our recovery retreat near İzmir, between check-ups
- Time difference: İzmir is one hour ahead of South Africa, which makes follow-up calls easy
- Cover: South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective treatment abroad, so check with your scheme before you book; standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment abroad
Recovery at home
Between weeks two and six swelling settles and the wound keeps healing. Hearing may fluctuate, especially if packing remains. Most people return to work; strenuous exercise waits until the surgeon clears it. Healing is usually complete by six to twelve weeks; swimming resumes once the surgeon confirms it.
Take home the operation note, scan reports and hearing results, and book an appointment with an ENT specialist in South Africa for the weeks after you return. Our team stays in touch by message and video call. Medical complications arising from the treatment, and any revision that becomes clinically necessary, are covered for one year by our treatment guarantee. See also the clinic facts page, the complaints page and our mastoidectomy page.
Risks
Mastoidectomy is a well-established operation, but it carries real risks. These include temporary ear discomfort, dizziness, tinnitus, altered taste, wound healing problems and temporary changes in hearing. Less often, bleeding, infection, facial nerve injury, persistent hearing loss, leakage of cerebrospinal fluid or a need for further surgery can occur. The surgeon explains your own risks at consultation.
What we will not do
We will not confirm surgery without reviewing your scans and records, we will not promise that hearing will be preserved or improved, and we will not agree to a flight home before the surgeon is satisfied. If symptoms suggest an acute or spreading infection, that needs treatment in South Africa straight away, not a trip abroad.
Frequently asked questions
Why would I need a mastoidectomy?
It is usually recommended for chronic middle ear infection, cholesteatoma or infection that has spread into the mastoid bone behind the ear. An ENT specialist decides after reviewing your scans and history.
How long after a mastoidectomy can I fly home?
Most patients are fit to fly five to seven days after surgery, but only with the surgeon’s approval, because pressure changes in flight affect the healing ear. Book a return ticket you can change.
How long is full recovery?
Light activities usually resume within one to two weeks. Healing is usually complete by six to twelve weeks.
Who follows me up in South Africa?
Our team stays in touch by message and video call, but you should arrange an ENT specialist at home who can examine the ear. Take your operation note, scans and hearing tests with you.
What decides the cost of a mastoidectomy?
The extent of the surgery, whether eardrum repair or reconstruction is added, any scans needed, the number of nights in Turkey and what the package includes. A firm figure follows assessment.
Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.