Surgical techniques for cochlear implantation in the very young child

• Published in: Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery Vol. 117; no. 3 Pt 1; p. 248
• Main Authors: Parisier, S C, Chute, P M, Popp, A L, Hanson, M B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.09.1997
• Subjects: Age Factors; Child, Preschool; Cochlea - surgery; Cochlear Diseases - surgery; Cochlear Implantation - methods; Cochlear Implants; Deafness - surgery; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Mastoid - surgery; Ossification, Heterotopic - surgery; Periosteum - surgery; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Prosthesis Design; Safety; Scala Tympani - surgery; Skull - surgery; Speech Perception; Temporal Bone - anatomy & histology; Temporal Bone - growth & development; Temporal Bone - surgery; Treatment Outcome; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration; United States
• ISSN: 0194-5998
• DOI: 10.1016/S0194-5998(97)70182-7

Early cochlear implantation to treat prelingually deafened children has been shown to improve speech perception and overall performance. The current age limit for implantation is 24 months in accordance with US Food and Drug Administration guidelines, but it is believed that earlier implantation is possible and may result in better performance. Implantation in children younger than 36 months, however, is complicated by the altered anatomy of the temporal bone in this young age group. We have developed specific modifications in the cochlear implantation technique for this young age group. This technique was used in implantation for 17 children younger than 36 months. The ages ranged from 16 to 36 months and averaged 30 months. All patients except one had complete electrode insertion without complication. The technique of cochlear implantation must be modified not only for differences in anatomy in these young children but also for the expected continued growth of the temporal bone and related structures. Cochlear implantation can be safely performed on children as young as 16 months.