Cochlear implantation in radical cavities of mastoidectomy

Pseudo mastoid obliteration with conchal cartilage may be a safe alternative technique for cochlear implantation in canal wall down mastoidectomy with large meatoplasty

OBJECTIVE

Safe cochlear implantation is challenging in patients with canal wall down mastoid cavities, and the presence of large meatoplasties increases the risk of external canal overclosure. This paper describes our results of obliteration of the mastoid cavity with conchal cartilage as an alternative procedure in cases of canal wall down mastoidectomy with very large meatoplasty.

METHODS

The cases of seven patients with a canal wall down mastoidectomy cavity who underwent cochlear implantation were retrospectively reviewed. Post-operative complications were analysed. The mean follow-up duration was 4.5 years.

RESULTS

There was no hint of cholesteatoma recurrence and all patients have been free of symptoms during follow up. Only one patient showed cable extrusion six months after surgery, and implantation of the contralateral ear was needed.

CONCLUSION

Pseudo-obliteration of the mastoid cavity with a cartilage multi-layered palisade reconstruction covering the electrode may be a safe alternative in selected patients with a large meatoplasty.

Cochlear Implantation in Patients with Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media: Surgical Outcomes and a Management Algorithm

Background: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) was considered as a contraindication of cochlear implantation (CI) in the past. Recently, various surgical options have been adopted for CI in CSOM patients with showing a low complication rate. Objectives: To evaluate surgical outcomes of CI in patients with CSOM and to propose a management algorithm for those patients. Methods: Thirty-six consecutive patients with CSOM who underwent single stage or staged CI were enrolled. Speech performance, including Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) test and sentence score, and complications were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The average follow-up was 3.1 years (range 0.5–9.2 years). Postoperative median CAP and sentence scores were 6 and 78%, respectively. Three (8.3%) of the 36 patients had postoperative complications. One experienced breakdown of the ear canal closure. Recurrence of the pars tensa retraction was observed in another patient with adhesive otitis media who underwent CI and cartilage tympanoplasty as a single stage operation. Electrode extrusion occurred in another patient who underwent staged CI with maintenance of a previous open cavity. Subtotal petrosectomy and cavity obliteration were used to manage the latter 2 complications. All implant patients with good mastoid pneumatization exhibited no complications. There were no significant differences in postoperative speech performance and complication rates between single stage CI and staged CI. Based on these current findings, a management algorithm was proposed according to type of CSOM, presence of open cavity, and mastoid pneumatization. Conclusions: Patients with CSOM show good postoperative speech performance after CI. Proper surgical options according to type of CSOM, presence of open cavity, and mastoid pneumatization may help in reducing complications.

Middle Fossa Approach for Cochlear Implantation

OBJECTIVE

To present qualification criteria, surgery, and results of cochlear implantation via the middle fossa approach.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective analysis of medical charts of patients.

SETTING

Cochlear implant program in academic medical center.

PATIENTS

Six adults after middle ear surgery due to chronic otitis media with bilateral deafness or profound hearing loss.

INTERVENTION

Analysis aimed to identify patients qualified for cochlear implantation via middle fossa approach and to present surgery and result.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Qualification criteria, details of surgery and surgical, functional and audiological results.

RESULTS

Surgery was completed in four patients and in the remaining two it was stopped because of adhesions and bleeding from the dura. In three patients, there were no postoperative complications and in one individual intracranial hematoma occurred. Postoperative computed tomography showed the intracochlear position of the electrode in all the implanted patients. All of the patients use their implant for 14 to 16 hours daily. One year after the implantation, they had hearing thresholds in the sound-free field of between 25 and 45 dB sound pressure level, number recognition scores between 80 and 100% and monosyllabic words recognition between 30 and 90%.

CONCLUSION

Successful cochlear implantation via middle fossa approach results in satisfactory hearing, bringing deaf people into a hearing environment. However, this approach is technically difficult and provides the risk of intracranial complications. In our opinion this approach should be used in special cases only (e.g., postmeningitis or otosclerotis patients with obliteration of basal turn of cochlea). In analysed group it should not be considered the primary solution.

Use of Pericranial Flap Coverage in Cochlear Implantation of the Radical Cavity

Cochlear implant (CI) surgery in the setting of an open mastoid cavity is evolving. Two strategies are commonly pursued: a staged approach, clearing the disease, closing the meatus or the external auditory canal (EAC), and reevaluating in 3 to 6 months prior to implantation, or a single-stage procedure with mastoid obliteration without EAC closure. Meatal closure is often employed in the setting of an open mastoid cavity to reduce the risk of electrode extrusion and infection. An open cavity offers the advantages of being a single-stage procedure, permitting direct surveillance for recurrent cholesteatoma, and reducing the need for repeat computed tomography scans. We describe an approach to the coverage of a CI within a dry, open mastoid cavity using an anteriorly-based postauricular pericranial flap.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Surgical Complications following Cochlear Implantation in Canal Wall Down Mastoid Cavities

Objective

We sought to assess the complication rates following cochlear implantation in canal wall down mastoid cavities in adults and children.

Data Sources

A systematic review of English articles from PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Additional studies were identified by reviewing the reference lists of the originally identified studies.

Review Methods

Studies were included that reported on surgical outcomes following cochlear implantation in canal wall down mastoid cavities. Two authors, using predefined data fields, independently reviewed all articles while tabulating study quality indicators. A meta-analysis of proportions was conducted on select cohorts to determine weighted complication rates.

Results

Forty-two articles were included that accounted for 424 patients and described surgical outcomes following cochlear implantation in canal wall down mastoid cavities. In a comparison of the postoperative complication rates, overclosing the external auditory meatus had significantly fewer global complications than did maintaining a canal wall down mastoid cavity ( P = .027). In a comparison of the complication rates (1) between staging the cochlear implantation and performing external auditory meatus overclosure simultaneously with cochlear implantation and (2) between pediatric and adult cochlear implantation recipients with external auditory meatus overclosure, there were no significant differences ( P = .085 and P = .92, respectively).

Conclusion

Overclosing the external auditory meatus at the same time of cochlear implantation leads to significantly fewer complications when compared with maintaining a canal wall down mastoid cavity with soft tissue coverage of the electrode array.

Cochlear Implantation in Canal Wall Down Mastoid Cavities

Cochlear implantation in canal wall down mastoid (CWD) cavities is fraught with the issue of how best to manage the mastoid cavity. Decision points include whether the external auditory meatus should be overclosed, whether the implantation should be staged, or even if the eustachian tube should be plugged. Given these options, we sought to describe our experience of cochlear implantation in CWD cavities. Among evaluation of subjects ≥18 years of age, 9 had cochlear implants placed in CWD mastoid cavities, 7 of which had the external auditory meatus overclosed, while 2 maintained open cavities following implantation. With an average follow-up of 36.7 months (median, 22.8 months), 2 subjects who had overclosure developed meatal dehiscences requiring further intervention, while no complications were observed in the 2 patients who maintained open cavities.

Subtotal Petrosectomy for Cochlear Implantation

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to review the indications for subtotal petrosectomy for cochlear implantation, report our management of complications, as well as review those technical factors that are critical for successful implantation.

Methods:

Patients (n = 104) that underwent subtotal petrosectomy with closure of the external auditory canal and obliteration of the cavity with abdominal fat in combination with cochlear implantation were analyzed.

Results:

The most frequent indication for subtotal petrosectomy was the existence of a previous canal wall down technique. Postoperative complications occurred in 13 patients (11.83%). Extrusion of the device took place in 5 cases (4.55%).

Conclusions:

Subtotal petrosectomy in cochlear implantation permits obtaining a cavity isolated from the external environment, and when needed, it improves the access and visibility during the surgical procedure. Subtotal petrosectomy is a safe technique, with a low rate of complications.

Surgical findings and auditory performance after cochlear implant revision surgery

The objective of this study was to review cochlear reimplantation outcomes in the tertiary hospital and analyze whether facts such as type of failure, surgical findings, or etiology of deafness have an influence. A retrospective study including 38 patients who underwent cochlear implant revision surgery in a tertiary center is performed. Auditory outcomes (pure tone audiometry, % disyllabic words) along with etiology of deafness, type of complication, issues with insertion, and cochlear findings are included. Complication rate is 2.7 %. Technical failure rate is 57.9 % (50 % hard failure and 50 % soft failure), and medical failure (device infection or extrusion, migration, wound, or flap complication) is seen in 42.1 % of the cases. Management of cochlear implant complications and revision surgery is increasing due to a growing number of implantees. Cases that require explantation and reimplantation of the cochlear implant are safe procedures, where the depth of insertion and speech perception results are equal or higher in most cases. Nevertheless, there must be an increasing effort on using minimally traumatic electrode arrays and surgical techniques to improve currently obtained results.

The use of subtotal petrosectomy in cochlear implant candidates with chronic otitis media

Cochlear implants (CI) candidates with chronic otitis media require special attention and management. The need of opening of the inner ear creates potential routes of spread of infection to subarachnoid spaces and lead to meningitis. The aim of the study was to analyse the technique and complications of subtotal petrosectomy (SP) in cochlear implant candidates with chronic otitis media at three different CI centres. A retrospective study was carried out in three Territory Referral Hospitals. The centres follow Fisch's philosophy and surgical techniques of SP. The study group consisted of 19 patients, 4 men and 15 women, aged 12-82 years. All patients underwent SP with either primary or staged CI implantation. Indications for single or a staged management, difficulties during surgery and complications were analysed. Skin and muscle flap design in primary and revision cases as well as imaging follow-up strategy are discussed. In 14 patients implantation was performed in a single stage and in 5 cases in two stages. Follow-up ranged from 8 months to 10 years. All the patients use their implants and there were no major nor minor complications. The use of subtotal petrosectomy with cochlear implants is a safe and efficient technique when strict surgical steps and rules are applied. Closure of the external ear canal after previous meatoplasty can be challenging and extreme care dissecting the skin flaps is required. In patients with extensive cholesteatoma, active discharge from the ear with resistant bacteria or an "unstable" situation, the procedure can be staged.

[Cochlear reimplantation in the same ear: Findings, peculiarities of the surgical technique and complications]

INTRODUCTION

Cochlear implants are, for many reasons, expirable electronic devices and occasionally may have to be replaced. The surgical cochlear reimplantation technique is not substantially different from the initial implantation but does have some peculiarities. These peculiarities are analyzed in this paper not only from the point of view of surgical technique but also with respect to the complications involved and the functional auditive outcome obtained.

OBJECTIVES

An accurate description of the surgical findings, peculiarities of the surgical technique and complications found during the process of cochlear reimplantation. An evaluation of the audiometric functional outcome of the reimplantation.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A descriptive retrospective review of 34 reimplantations in the same ear, carried out at our department during the period between 1993 and 2008, in 27 patients in a tertiary hospital by the same team of seniors surgeons. The cochlear implants replaced were 2 Ineraid (Smith & Nephew Richards, TN), 23 Laura (Philips Hearing Implants), 8 nucleus 24K (Cochlear Corp., Englewood, CO), 1 Clarion (r) (Advanced Bionics, Sylmar, CA).

RESULTS

The rate of reimplantation in the same ear was 18.5% per patient. The most frequent reason in our series was internal failure of the device (14 cases). Other causes were substitution for a technological update (7 cases), misplacement of electrodes (8 cases), necrosis/infection of the skin flap with exposure of the implant (3 cases) and external injuries (2 cases). The most important surgical findings were partial mastoidectomy reossification, absence of ossification in the posterior tympanostomy and the permeability of the basal turn of the cochlea when it housed the electrodes. A complete reintroduction of the electrodes was achieved in 25 patients and a partial one in 2 patients. The rate of complications generated was similar in reimplantation and in virgin ear implantation, except for when the original implant was an Ineraid device.

CONCLUSIONS

The surgical technique of reimplantation and multireimplantation technique has characteristic peculiarities at each step, but in general terms, its complexity is similar to that of implantation in virgin ears and the rate of complications is also similar. The introduction of the new electrodes is simple and complete in the immense majority of cases, given that the cochlea remains permeable, as long as it houses the electrodes; otherwise it tends to become reossified. The functional auditory outcome of the new implant is in relation with its capacities. If they are equal to those of the initial implant then the auditory outcome will be similar and if they are better, then so will the outcome be, with the exception of ears with long periods of auditive deprivation.

Cochlear implantation in patients with chronic otitis media: 7 years' experience in Maastricht

The purpose of this paper is to propose management options for cochlear implantation in chronic otitis media (COM) based on our 7-year experience. Thirteen patients with COM who were candidates for cochlear implantation were identified. COM was divided in an inactive and an active form based on clinical and radiological findings. One major complications and one minor complication were identified in the study group. In case of an active infection or in case of a unstable cavity we advise cochlear implantation as a staged procedure. A single stage procedure is recommended in case of patients with COM presenting with a dry perforation or a stable cavity.

Cochlear implantation in patients with acute or chronic middle ear infectious disease: a review of the literature

Although in the past cochlear implantation was considered contraindicated in patients with acute (AOM) or chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) with or without middle ear cholesteatoma, recent developments now make it possible to perform cochlear implantation in these patients. Various procedures are available to make the ears of patients with either acute or CSOM suitable for cochlear implantation and to minimize the risk of recurrence of the disease, device extrusion, or intracranial complications. This review discusses these different approaches for optimizing implant survival and preventing complications related to otitis media. We performed a comprehensive literature search of the MEDLINE database. Cochlear implantation can be safely performed in patients with otitis media. However, the infection should be adequately controlled well before implantation, and all measures should be taken to prevent recurrent disease. Therefore, the procedure used should be tailored to individual clinical findings. This article provides a guideline to optimize the course of action in patients suffering from AOM, CSOM or their sequelae in preparation for cochlear implantation.

Cochlear implantation and management of chronic suppurative otitis media: single stage procedure?

In a series of 360 patients who underwent cochlear implantation at our center, four patients (five procedures) had cochlear implantation with obliteration of the mastoid cavity and management of cholesteatoma as a single-staged procedure. Three patients were bilaterally deaf secondary to CSOM and had bilateral mastoid cavities, and in one patient congenital cholesteatoma was identified during cochlear implantation. A mastoidectomy or revision mastoidectomy with obliteration of the mastoid cavity and cochlear implantation was performed as a single stage procedure. Cholesteatoma reoccurred in one patient 9 years after cochlear implantation. Surgical procedures, complications, follow-up and outcomes are discussed.

Cochlear implantation in patients with a history of chronic otitis media

OBJECTIVE

To propose management options for cochlear implantation in chronic otitis media based on our experiences.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective review of 418 cochlear implantations performed by the 2 senior authors between November 1988 and February 2004 was conducted. Nine patients who had chronic otitis media in the ear to be implanted were included. Of these, three showed active inflammation at presentation; the other six cases had undergone previous tympanomastoidectomy surgery and did not show active inflammation at presentation.

RESULTS

Five patients with active inflammation or without an adequate soft tissue layer in the mastoid bowl underwent a two-stage procedure. Four cases who showed inactive inflammation and had an adequate tissue layer to protect the electrode array underwent a single-stage technique, although two of them showed dry tympanic membrane perforation. No local or intracranial inflammation recurred. The electrode was exposed in the mastoid bowl in one case, who was managed with revisional mastoid obliteration with soft tissue.

CONCLUSION

Complete eradication of inflammation and the securing of a strong protective soft tissue layer over the electrode are prerequisites for cochlear implantation in ears with chronic otitis media.

Cochlear implants: indications in groups of patients with borderline indications. A review

Cochlear implants (CI) represent the current treatment for patients affected by profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Initially only deaf adult patients were considered to be candidates for a CI; however, the development of technology and matured experience have expanded the indications for cochlear implantation. Today, CIs are implanted in adults and children and broader indications are followed. There are, however, a number of patients who do not completely fulfill the current indications and who are potential candidates for CI. The duration of deafness and residual hearing represent prognostic indicators for CI performance; however, the candidacy of children with residual hearing and prelingually deafened adults are still under debate. Anatomical variants such as cochlear ossification, cochlear malformation and chronic otitis media represented and still represent for some surgeons a contraindication to CI. The otological experience of CI surgeons and the advent of auditory brainstem implants have changed the approach to these patients, who may still benefit from hearing rehabilitation. This paper briefly analyses and reviews the results obtained in these groups of patients, who were not, at least initially, considered to be candidates for cochlear implantation.

Multichannel cochlear implantation in radical mastoidectomy cavities

OBJECTIVE

We report on our experience in cochlear implantation in patients with radical mastoidectomy cavities. Study Design, Setting, and Methods: Retrospectively, records of patients from the Department of Otolaryngology, University of Parma between December 1991 and March 2000 were reviewed, and 6 postlingually deafened adults who received a cochlear implant in a radical cavity were identified. Speech performances were evaluated in terms of bisyllabic word and sentence recognition and common phrase comprehension.

RESULTS

To date, with a follow-up of 1 to 9 years, no patient has experienced extrusion of electrodes or other local or intracranial complications. Mean bisyllabic word and sentence recognition scores were 74% and 80%, respectively. Mean comprehension score for common phrases was 86%.

CONCLUSION

By obliterating and isolating the radical mastoidectomy cavity from the outer environment, patients who previously had undergone radical surgery of the middle ear can be safely implanted with satisfactory hearing results.