OT:Rebuilding my Ear Canal...2nd time

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

So I'm going in for surgery on my Extostosis of the ear canal. This will be my second time under the knife for the same thing.

Water causes bone growth in the ear canal after long term exposure. My doc seems to think that the skin didn't regrow after my operation.

My left ear canal is 95% blocked and my hearing is down as well.

If you have difficulty with getting water out of your ears and have been in the water for years you may have a ENT take a look.

Peace in the middle east,

Ron

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

Good luck, and tell your doc steady with the Dremel!

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Good luck and heal up!

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

I'm really looking forward to having my hearing back. I listen to music, play guitar and it's bizitch to have to load and balance to the left side.....

I'll be able to hear...

cynbad · Since 29 Jan 2008 17 Posts La Ventana MX

Good luck....I did that surgery on one ear 15 years ago. It was a hell of a recovery period, but then again I did it back in the dark ages!

Use Swimear or similar water drying aids EVERY time you get out of the water!

jsj · Since 11 Sep 2006 83 Posts Hood River

aquanots by westone

nothing else comes remotely close and if your ENT and their audiologist haven't suggested molded plugs already, you need to go to a different doc.

I had one done about 15 years ago with a shitty outcome... oh wait, it was skin not growing properly. I seriously hope you are talking to a different doc for this second surgery. They should be talking microflaps by now and if they aren't they are the wrong doc.

Good Luck. Ear problems suck ass.

-j

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

The last time I had this done it was done via ear canal. Now they actually make a cut behind the ear and then lay it out. They peel the skin back and then drill the bone. I've got bone growing from three different angles.

I did my research and the guy I'm see is Dr. David Wilson, Wison Ear Clinic. He's done these for over 20 years and been in practice of 30.

I'm for sure going to use ear plugs from here on out.

I'll be out of the river for at least a month. Good thing the steelies are biting,

Cheers,
Ron Very Happy

jsj · Since 11 Sep 2006 83 Posts Hood River

I'm an engineer, not a physician, but the smallest incision they can make is going to be better for you in the long run. If and when I get my other ear done it will be the microsurgury... which from my own understanding is the more modern approach.

One of the things the surgeon probably *didn't* tell you (because "it doesn't matter") is that the behind-the-ear procedure will necessarily sever the nerve that provides feeling on the back of your ear. You'll be able to hear, but you won't feel wind or much of anything with that patch of skin for a long time... years in my case.

Do get a second opinion, whatever you do.

-j

Cp · Since 22 May 2008 15 Posts White Salmon, WA

I have the same problem 98% blockage in left ear & 85% in right ear. I went to wilson ear clinic for 1st opinion. They wanted to do surgery right away. Skin graft from under my arm and all. Got a second opinion from Sterling Hodgson MD. Who came highly recommended . (503) 329-8857. He is in the same building as wilson clinic (west end of building). since my hearing wasn't too effected by the blockage and i wasn't getting infections, just trapped water. he recommended custom plugs over surgery at this point. he also said when he does the surgery, he never uses skin grafts, way to invasive , unlike wilson. He makes incision in ear, drills growths then sows incision back together. He said that skin grafts in the ear are not recommend because the skin in the ear canal is unique to itself . Skin from under the arm, or any other part of the body is different and is difficult to graft in the ear canal. My plugs have been working great. I would highly recommend a second opinion from him. Good luck!

Cp · Since 22 May 2008 15 Posts White Salmon, WA

sorry phone # for sterling hodgson is 503 224-8235

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

The surgery went well. I can tell that my hearing better even with the packing. The last time they went in through the ear canal. This time they went in behind the ear.

My hearing test prior to surgery was down 30% in the high and mid range when compared to my right ear.

Today I'm a little groggy taken some vicden and sleeping,

See you on water in 3 weeks,
Ron

I posted a pic but it was too much like my toe, very gross, so I spared the forum.