Surgical issues in cochlear implantation - our experience

Aims: Cochlear implantation is a safe surgical procedure in severe-to-profound hearing impaired patients. The risk of cochlear implantation is similar those of classic mastoid surgery with a low rate of severe complications. Material, Method: We evaluated the complication in a retrospective study on 67 patients, who underwent cochlear implantation in our department since 2003 to 2010. Results: Intraoperative, gusher syndrome occurred in one patient, facial nerve malformation in one patient, bleeding from mastoid emissary vein in two cases and chorda tympani nerve injury in 3 cases. Early postoperative complications occur in the first 7-10 days and include minor flap complications in 5 patients. Late complications included otitis media and devices failure. Conclusions: Careful operation technique and a well-trained surgeon can avoid severe intraoperative and early postoperative complications. Late-onset complications like otitis media or device failure could occur in some cases and needs surgical treatment.