Surgical complications of cochlear implantation: a report of three cases and their clinical features

The most common complications of cochlear implantation are flap necrosis, compressed or improperly placed electrodes, and facial nerve injury, paresis, or stimulation. We report on three recent complications experienced at our institution: 1) a flap ischemia and partial-thickness necrosis without infection or device exposure, 2) facial nerve stimulation, which was managed with a new programming technique, and 3) a postimplant cholesteatoma in a patient with chronic eustachian tube dysfunction that required reoperation and explanation. We discuss the pathophysiology, likely etiology, and recommendations for management of these complications.