I have had 3 surgeries for cholesteatoma. The first in 1984 in my right ear. 2 small hearing bones, the eardrum and the disease were removed. 6 months later the surgeon grafted a prosthesis. The prosthesis had to be replaced 4 times. Then in 2008 after an unsuccessful stapedectomy in my left ear by a new surgeon, a third surgeon went in and removed the cholesteatoma which had spread to the skull and my entire middle ear canal in 2010. I was left deaf in my left ear. In 2012 I had surgery to place a titanium rod behind my left ear and began using a Ponto hearing device. In 2021 a cholesteatoma was found in my right ear again. I had a surgery to remove it.
I have relocated to Phoenix near one of my children. I am a patient at Mayo now. I have regular checkups. How do I prevent cholesteatomas from growing again? I dread having more ear surgery. I’ve had 10 so far.