Management of Long-term Complications After Cochlear Implantation

WANG Yu; PAN Tao; KE Jia; ZHANG Ke; ZHANG Shaoxing; SONG Yu; MA Furong

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1672-2922.2017.04.009

Abstract：Objective To summarize long-term postoperative complications in patients with cochlear implants, as well as the cause, management and prognosis. Methods A total of 280 patients with complete follow-up data who re-ceived cochlear implants by the authors between March 2002 and November 2016 at Peking University Third Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Results Long-term complications developed in 6 cases (2.1%) between 4 months and 5 years after cochlear implantation. Three patients (1.1%) suffered from otitis media complicated with peri-implant infec-tion which resolved with antibiotics and symptomatic treatment. Two patients (0.7%) experienced device failure and un-derwent device explantation and re-implantation. Flap infection and necrosis developed in 1 case (0.4%). Repeated at-tempts of debridement and flap rotation reconstruction failed to control the infection, which finally revolved only after removing the device and implanting a new one on the opposite side. Final outcomes were satisfactory in all 6 cases of long-term complications. Conclusions Long-term complications following cochlear implantation are worth paying at-tention to even though patients recover well after surgery. Timely diagnosis and treatment can save and avoid further harmful consequence.