Complication Of Cochlear Implant Surgery Research Articles

Complications of Cochlear Implant Surgery: A Public Implant Centre Experience

Objectives:To determine the prevalence of complications of cochlear implant surgery in children with congenital profound sensorineural hearing loss.Methods:This study retrospectively & consecutively reviewed charts of children who underwent cochlear implantation from July 2015 to July 2019 at Cochlear Implant Centre of Otolaryngology Department of Capital Hospital, Islamabad Pakistan. These included cases of both genders aged one to 12 years operated at least one year before the time of data collection. Basic demographic data, complications including major and minor complications and treatment received was noted and statistically analyzed using SPSS-23. Results were presented using descriptive statistics.Results:Current study included a sample of N=251 having a mean age of 4.05±2.15 years including 154(61.4%) males and 97(38.6%) females revealed a prevalence of complications of 16(6.4%) with 4(1.6%) major and 12(4.8%) minor complications. Wound infection and acute otitis media with frequency of 3(1.2%) each were the commonest complications, followed by , facial nerve twitching, tinnitus and vertigo, infection and extrusion; and device failure in 2(0.8%) each. However, there was no significant association of complications with age group and gender with P=0.344 and P=0.519 respectively.Conclusion:Present public sector implant program is characterized with a very low prevalence of complications of 16(6.4%) with 4(1.6%) major and 12(4.8%) minor complications. Wound infection and acute otitis media were the commonest complications.

The occurrence of tinnitus after CI surgery in patients with severe hearing loss: A retrospective study

Objective: An often reported side-effect of a cochlear implant (CI) is suppression of tinnitus. However, induction of tinnitus is also a known complication of CI surgery. To date, it remains unclear why some CI recipients experience larger tinnitus complaints due to CI surgery while most others do not. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of deterioration of residual hearing due to CI surgery on tinnitus. Design: In this retrospective database study, pre- and postoperative audiometric hearing thresholds were retrieved from patients’ clinical files. Furthermore, tinnitus questionnaires were sent to all patients who fitted inclusion criteria. Study sample: Of the 512 CI patients who were implanted within the last ten years, 197 patients fitted the inclusion criteria and returned the questionnaires. Results: We identified 39 cases (19.8%) who suffered from a newly developed (25) or deteriorated (14) tinnitus following CI surgery. No statistically significant association between perioperative deterioration of hearing thresholds measured by pure-tone audiometry and the development or deterioration of tinnitus was found. Conclusions: There is a small risk for deteriorated residual hearing after cochlear implantation. However, for patients with preoperative residual hearing, there appears to be no increased risk of developing chronic tinnitus after hearing deterioration due to cochlear implantation.

Complications of Cochlear Implant Surgery in Adults and Children

Surgery for cochlear prosthesis insertion exposes the patient to several potential risks. We review the surgical complication experience with cochlear implants in the United States. There have been no deaths attributable to these devices, few serious major complications, and relatively few minor complications. Major complications usually have to do with surgical technique and include flap necrosis, improper electrode placement, and rare facial nerve problems. Minor complications include dehiscence of incisions, infection, facial nerve stimulation, dizziness, and pedestal problems with the Ineraid device. Complications were less frequent in children than adults and were more likely to occur in the younger children than those above the age of 7 years. Complications were still fewer in groups of patients operated on within tightly controlled protocols. There was no increased incidence of otitis media in children who received the Nucleus Mini-22 device, and no reported sequelae from such otitis when it occurred.

Problems and Complications of Cochlear Implant Surgery

As with any operation, problems and complications may arise with cochlear implant surgery. These may be associated with the scalp flap, mastoid, facial recess, middle ear, or scala tympani. We describe a number of these potential problems and suggest means of avoiding or dealing with them. With careful planning and meticulous attention to detail, complications associated with cochlear implant surgery can be minimized.