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Intracochlear insertion of electrodes using hyaluronic acid in cochlear implant surgery
Roland Laszig1, Gerd Jürgen Ridder, Milo Fradis
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Freiburg, Germany. laszig@hno.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Abstract:
Hyaluronic acid has been proposed as a lubricant for improving the outcome of cochlear implant surgery. We describe a method which includes coating the electrodes with a thin layer of hyaluronic acid as well as using a droplet of the lubricant on the cochleostomy to provide additional magnification, like a lens, that facilitates the insertion of the electrode array. The use of hyaluronic acid reduces trauma to the cochlea and avoids contaminating perilymph by blood or by saline used during the operation. It is an efficacious and reliable method for cochlear implant surgery.