Complications in cochlear implantation

Objetive: The objetive of this paper is to present the surgical complications in cochlear implant, in a serie of 346 patients, submitted to surgery by the same surgical team with the subsequent control and follow - up for a long period of time. We show the description and the handling of each complication. Material and Methods: A follow - up was carried out on 346 cochlear implant patients by the same surgical team, from February 1993 to March 2004. The complications were assessed and their handling and follow - up is reported. The series includes 211 children and 135 adults. Results: The complication rate was 9.8% (n=34). The complications found were: Intraoperatory Complications: Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks (CSF), 7; Facial nerve injury, 1; excessive thinning of the posterior wall, 2; inmediate post operatory complications: infection of the surgical wound, 4; post operatory persistent pain, 1; Tinnitus, 2; late complications: Mastoiditis, 2; extrusion of the stimulating receptor, 1; facial nerve stimulation, 5; late infections of the stimulation receptor, 2; technical failure of the implanted system, 7. Neither alteration or migration was found in the receptor placing. Conclusions: The cochlear implant surgery has a low morbility. We found no cases of meningitis due to this procedure.