Surgical results of transcutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid comparing the C-shaped and linear incision techniques

Purpose The aim of the study is to compare the operative time and postoperative complication outcomes for bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) implants using two different techniques: the C-shaped incision technique and the linear incision technique.Methods An analysis was carried out of 38 patients implanted with transcutaneous BAHAs during a 4-year period in a single otolaryngology department.Results The implantation was carried out under general anesthesia. Operative time was significant lower with the linear technique compared to the C-shaped technique (76.55 min, SD 16.75 vs. 93.17 min, SD 19.82; p = 0.007). There was no difference in postoperative complications between the two techniques.Conclusions The use of linear incision for transcutaneous BAHA system implantation is associated with a reduced surgery time compared to the C-shaped technique, with no increase in postoperative complications.