Abstract
BackgroundThe BONEBRIDGE (MED-EL, Innsbruck, Austria) is a bone-conduction implant used in the treatment of conductive and mixed hearing loss. The BONEBRIDGE consists of an external audio processor and a bone-conduction floating mass transducer that is surgically implanted into the skull in either the transmastoid, retrosigmoid or middle fossa regions. The manufacturer includes self-tapping screws to secure the transducer; however, self-drilling screws have also been used with success. In cases where the skull is not thick enough to house the transducer, lifts are available in a variety of sizes to elevate the transducer away from the skull. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of screw type, lift thickness, and implant location on the sound transmission of the BONEBRIDGE.MethodSix cadaveric temporal bones were embalmed and dried for use in this study. In each sample, a hole was drilled in each of the three implant locations to house the implant transducer. At the middle fossa, six pairs of screw holes were pre-drilled; four pairs to be used with self-tapping screws and lifts (1, 2, 3, and 4 mm thick lifts, respectively), one pair with self-tapping screws and no lifts, and one pair with self-drilling screws and no lifts. At the transmastoid and retrosigmoid locations, one pair of screw holes were pre-drilled in each for the use of the self-tapping screws. The vibration of transmitted sound to the cochlea was measured using a laser Doppler vibrometry technique. The measurements were performed on the cochlear promontory at eight discrete frequencies (0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4 and 6 kHz). Vibration velocity of the cochlear wall was measured in all samples. Measurements were analyzed using a single-factor ANOVA to investigate the effect of each modification.ResultsNo significant differences were found related to either screw type, lift thickness, or implant location.ConclusionsThis is the first known study to evaluate the effect of screw type, lift thickness, and implant location on the sound transmission produced by the BONEBRIDGE bone-conduction implant. Further studies may benefit from analysis using fresh cadaveric samples or in-vivo measurements.
Highlights
The BONEBRIDGE (MED-EL, Innsbruck, Austria) is a bone-conduction implant used in the treatment of conductive and mixed hearing loss
Rohani et al Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (2020) 49:58 (Continued from previous page). This is the first known study to evaluate the effect of screw type, lift thickness, and implant location on the sound transmission produced by the BONEBRIDGE bone-conduction implant
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of implant location, lift thickness, and screw type on the ex-vivo sound transmission of the BONEBRIDGE bone conduction implant (BB-Bone conduction implant (BCI))
Summary
The BONEBRIDGE (MED-EL, Innsbruck, Austria) is a bone-conduction implant used in the treatment of conductive and mixed hearing loss. The most commonly used percutaneous BCI is the bone anchored hearing aid (CochlearTM Baha® System, Cochlear Ltd., Sydney, Australia) [2]. These devices directly vibrate the temporal bone through a surgically implanted osseointegrated titanium screw and a skin-penetrating abutment attached to an external fixture [3]. The skin-penetrating mechanism can cause possible infection, wound dehiscence, fixture loss, and/or the need for revision surgery [5]. It is associated with a higher complication rate for pediatric patients compared to adults [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
