Electrode extrusion after cochlear implantation in pediatric patients

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Zoi Zachou, Anna Katsi, Konstantinos Parpounas and Ioannis Athanasopoulos

Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, Greece

: J Otol Rhinol

Abstract

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Introduction: Cochlear implantation is a safe method that is used worldwide in patients with severe to profound hearing loss, although complications can still occur even a lengthy period after the implantation. Objective: To describe an unusual complication of cochlear implantation. Materials & Methods: 277 pediatric patients who underwent cochlear implant surgery at our Department were studied retrospectively. All patients are being followed up after implantation until their adulthood. Results: Major complications occurred in approximately 4.7%, while the electrode extrusion in the external auditory canal occurred in 1,8% of our patients with the first symptom being otorrhea. Conclusion: Complications after cochlear implantation can occur at any time post-operation and the electrode extrusion into the external auditory canal, although rare, represents one of these complications. In our study, it is noticeable that the electrode extrusion was manifested initially with otorrhea and in most of our patients it was accompanied by cholesteatoma formation. A correlation of the electrode extrusion with skeletal issues or syndromes was also observed, which may indicate a possible explanation of the etiology of the extrusion.

Biography

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Zoi Zachou is an ENT Resident in Pediatric hospital Agia Sophia Children’s Hospital. After working in Audiology department of this hospital for 1.5 years, she gained a special interest in the field of Audiology and Ear Surgery which lead her to participate in temporal bone courses in Gruppo Otologico, Italy and in Athens and to start research in these fields measuring the statistics of the work in department and planning new protocols in the field of pediatric audiology.