[A new application of extraoral implants: the permanent percutaneous electrical connection. Apropos a case]

The principle of EOI is an implant fixed to the bone supporting a percutaneous abutment. Placed through the skin, the abutment allows a permanent communication between inside and outside of the organism. A rigorous very precise surgical protocol has allowed good results of the technique for over 20 years and shown the reliability of this two-piece device. This surgical protocol and device concept have been used by the authors to design a percutaneous electrical connector experimented in a rabbit model since 1996. A percutaneous electrical connector called PEP (percutaneous electrical plug) directly steming from the Sweden and German extra oral implants as been design for human applications. Authors describe the surgical placement and loading of there first PEP, under Huriet law, in an otologic application: the treatment of sever, drug-resistant tinnitus by electrical stimulation of the internal ear. The anatomical implantation area of these new extra-oral implants is retro-auricular. So the implants placements should be realized by ENT and maxillo-facial surgeons.