Факторы риска стимуляции лицевого нерва у пользователей кохлеарных имплантов: наш опыт

Abstract

Nowadays, cochlear implantation is the most common method of rehabilitation of people with complete deafness. Surgical treatment may be accompanied by a number of difficulties due to the anatomical and topographic features of the cochleae. One of the most unpleasant complications after cochlear implantation is the reaction of the facial nerve when one or more electrodes of the cochlear implant system are stimulated. Subjective sensations as well as visible twitching of facial muscles during sound irritation bring discomfort, worsen the patient’s quality of life, and may lead to restriction of the use of a cochlear implant, including due to the forced use of speech processor settings that degrade the quality of rehabilitation. Stimulation of the facial nerve, which cannot be corrected, can lead to the patient’s complete refusal to operate the device. Anatomical features of the cochlea, its interposition with the facial nerve, changes in the bone labyrinth play a significant role in the development of symptoms of facial nerve stimulation in patients with severe sensorineural hearing loss, including at the stage of rehabilitation. The purpose of the publication is to highlight the etiological factors of the occurrence of this complication based on our experience in Saint Petersburg ENT Research Institute from 2017 to 2021.