Robotic cochlear implantation in post-meningitis ossified cochlea

Abstract

AimTo report the experience of an image-guided and navigation-based robot arm as an assistive surgical tool for cochlear implantation in a case with a labyrinthitis ossificans. PatientA 55-years-old man with a history of childhood meningitis whose hearing deteriorated progressively to bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss. InterventionRobotic Assisted Cochlear Implant Surgery (RACIS) with a straight flexible lateral wall electrode. Primary outcome measuresElectrode cochlear insertion depth with RACIS with facial recess approach and autonomous inner ear access with full electrode insertion of a flexible straight cochlear implant array. ConclusionsIntra cochlear ossifications pose a challenge for entering the cochlea and full-length insertion of a cochlear implant. RACIS has shown that computations of radiological images combined with navigation-assisted robot arm drilling can provide efficient access to the inner ear.