Billatwa

[Billatwa]

Is it possible to get a skin graft inside the ear?
I had a right ear mastoidectomy 1989 followed some months later by a skin graft which did not take. I have had recurrent ear infections ever since. Ear specialist (not the one who did the op. - he has long since retired)  says no graft possible; there will forever be a wound inside my ear and see him annually. Nightly I have leakage of liquid, often bloody, from right ear. My GP says he can only go by what the specialist says.
Any advice ?
Billatwa

[Enoch Choi, MD]

You may need a referral to an ENT to get sufficient treatment.

[Billatwa]

Many thanks Eric,
I'll have a chat to my GP here and see what he says.
Bill

[Eric P Wilkinson, MD]

If your mastoid cavity has granulation, you might consider using antibiotic/antifungal powder.  There are various formulations.  Simple includes boric acid (cheap and often effective), complex includes CSF-HC (chloramphenicol, sulfanilimide, amphotericin with hydrocortisone).  Often these powders will help dry mastoid cavities.  You may want to get another opinion.  In severe cases revision mastoidectomy may need to be considered.

Hope this helps.  Good luck!