Complications in Pediatric Cochlear Implants

Abstract

Objective Be able to retrospectively review the complications of pediatric patients undergoing cochlear implantation at a tertiary referral center. Methods IRB permission was obtained. Retrospective analysis of all children who underwent cochlear implantation from January 2001 to December 2005 at a major academic cochlear implantation center. The patients were reviewed for demographic information, type of hearing loss, cochlear implant device, and complications, including implant failure, meningitis, hematomas (intracranial and extracranial), implant extrusion, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, facial palsy, and wound infections. Results A total of 165 patients records were reviewed. 53.5% of the patients were male. The most common device used was the Freedom NucleusTM (60%). The most common etiology of hearing loss was non-syndromic, non-genetic, congenital sensorineural hearing loss (60.6%) All patients had a follow-up of at least 1 year. The most common complication seen was device failure (3.0%), followed by flap infections (2.6%), and immediate postoperative hematomas (1.9%). There was no difference between the kind of device which failed, statistically. There was only one case of Ps. aeruginosa meningitis in a child with a Mondini deformity, who had the implant removed. Conclusions Cochlear implantation in children continues to be reliable and safe, with a low percentage of severe complications, in experienced hands. The patients should have lifetime follow-up.