Bilateral, simultaneous cochlear implantation in children: surgical considerations

• Published in: Journal of laryngology and otology Vol. 123; no. 8; pp. 837 - 839
• Main Authors: Migirov, L, Kronenberg, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.08.2009
• Subjects: Age Factors; Bilateral; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; Cochlea - surgery; Cochlear Implantation - adverse effects; Cochlear Implantation - economics; Cochlear Implantation - methods; Cochlear Implants; Cytomegalovirus; Deafness; Ear, auditive nerve, cochleovestibular tract, facial nerve: diseases, semeiology; Ears & hearing; Female; Functional Laterality - physiology; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - physiopathology; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - surgery; Humans; Infant; Male; Mastoiditis - prevention & control; Medical sciences; Non tumoral diseases; Otologic Surgical Procedures; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Postoperative Care; Preoperative Care; Risk Factors; Sensorineural Deafness; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Sensorineural Deafness, Bilateral; Otologic Surgical Procedures; Cochlear Implants; Human; Auditory disorder; Bilateral; Implantation; ENT; Hearing loss; Treatment; Surgery; Cochlea; Cochlear implant; ENT disease; Sensorineural Deafness; Child
• ISSN: 0022-2151; 1748-5460
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022215109004824

The advantages of bilateral, simultaneous cochlear implantation include: the possibility to pre-empt cochlear calcification following meningitis; reduction of the intervention to only one procedure, general anaesthetic and course of clinical care (with obvious benefits for the patient); and greater cost-effectiveness. The disadvantages of such a procedure include: doubling the risk of associated complications; placing the patient on the implanted side during contralateral implantation; the possibility of vestibular alteration simultaneously in both ears; the need for precise planning of symmetrical incisions and implant sites; and longer surgery time. The study cohort included 10 children who underwent bilateral, simultaneous cochlear implantation using the suprameatal approach. The overall operation time, inclusive of anaesthesia, was approximately three hours in all cases. None of the children had any intra- or post-operative complications. From a surgical perspective, bilateral, simultaneous cochlear implantation is a safe procedure. The use of a non-mastoidectomy approach is recommended.