Abstract
ObjectiveThis study aimed to establish and discuss the intraoperative and postoperative complications affecting patients who underwent cochlear implant (CI) surgery from the Cochlear Implant Program of King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of 148 patients who underwent cochlear implantation at KAUH between 1999 and 2019. Postoperative complications were classified into minor and major complications. Minor complications resolved with minimal or no treatment. Major complications required additional surgery or hospitalization.ResultsComplications occurred in 28 (18.9%) patients. Minor complications occurred in 17 (11.5%) patients, which included otitis media (2%), facial palsy (1.4%), wound infection (1.4%), vertigo (1.4%), intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) gusher (1.4%), tinnitus (1.4%), facial stimulation (1.4%), hematoma (0.7%), and chorda tympani nerve injury (0.7%). Major complications occurred in 11 (7.4%) patients. These included flap dehiscence/infection (2%), device failure (1.4%), device migration (1.4%), mastoiditis (1.4%), electrode damage during insertion (0.7%), and misplaced electrodes (0.7%).ConclusionThis study reported a low rate of surgical complications associated with CI, and most have been managed successfully without further complications. Our results prove that CI is a safe and reliable procedure, with a low complications rate when performed by experienced surgeons.
Highlights
Hearing loss is the partial or total inability to hear
Minor complications occurred in 17 (11.5%) patients, which included otitis media (2%), facial palsy (1.4%), wound infection (1.4%), vertigo (1.4%), intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) gusher (1.4%), tinnitus (1.4%), facial stimulation (1.4%), hematoma (0.7%), and chorda tympani nerve injury (0.7%)
This study reported a low rate of surgical complications associated with cochlear implant (CI), and most have been managed successfully without further complications
Summary
Hearing loss is the partial or total inability to hear. It is considered one of the most preventable disabilities worldwide. Hearing loss affects one to two infants in every 1,000 live births [1]. The incidence of congenital hearing loss in Saudi Arabia is relatively higher compared to international figures, affecting one to four infants in every 1,000 live births [2]. Cochlear implants (CIs) have proven to be the most suitable tool for hearing rehabilitation in patients with severe sensorineural hearing loss who cannot benefit from traditional hearing aids. It is an implantable electronic hearing device designed to stimulate the nerves in the inner ear to produce auditory sensations in patients with moderate to severe neurological deafness [3]. Cochlear implants are safe and reliable and provide significant benefits to patients such as improving communication skills and quality of life [4]
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