-ectomy, -ectome, -ectomize

Removal of a turbinate bone: Dr. Big diagnosed Mr. Clarke as having a nasal obstruction which was causing his breathing difficulties, and suggested that a turbinectomy would be a good treatment in his case.

The turbinate is a bone in the nose; and it is an extension of the ethmoid bone which is situated along the side wall of the nose, and is covered by mucous membrane.

Submucous turbinectomy, or the removal of the turbinate bone without removing the overlying mucous membrane, has been found to reduce nasal discharge, sneezing, and nasal stiffness in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (annual runny nose from allergy).

Excision of a tympanic membrane or eardrum.

A mastoidectomy (excision of the mastoid air cells) with tympanectomy (excision of the tympanic membrane).

An operation to exteriorise (expose an organ temporarily for observation) and to join the mastoid air cells (small intercommunicating cavities), the middle ear space, and the external meatus (natural passage or canal), often for extensive cholesteatoma (benign condition involving an expanding mass of cholesterol crystals and keratinised, or horny, skin in the middle ear space; with common symptoms causing hearing loss, ear fullness, and pain).

The surgical excision of the tympanic plexus for relief of tinnitus (ringing in the ears).