Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 26, 2026
Performing Intracochlear Electrocochleography During Cochlear Implantation
Published on: March 8, 2022
Complications of cochlear implant placement with minimal hair shave
N Scott Howard1, Patrick J Antonelli
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0264, USA. antonpj@ent.ufl.edu
Objective:
The goal of this study was to determine if a change to minimal-hair shave preparation has altered the incidence of complications after cochlear implant surgery.
Materials And Methods:
Charts were reviewed on 158 consecutive patients that underwent primary cochlear implant surgery for evidence of minor and major surgical complications with full- or minimal-hair shave preparation.
Results:
Complications were noted within 6 weeks in 5 of 105 patients in the minimal-hair shave group and 3 of 53 in the full-hair shave group (4.8% v 5.7%, P =.53). Delayed complications were noted in 3 within the minimal-shave group and 1 within the full-shave group (2.9% v 1.9%, P =.58). Only 1 wound complication required replacement of the cochlear implant.
Conclusions:
There is no evidence that minimal-hair shave adversely affects rates of wound complications in patents undergoing cochlear implant surgery. Therefore, minimal preoperative scalp shave may be an acceptable alternative to the traditional hair shaving technique.
Insights
Minimal hair shaving before cochlear implant surgery does not increase complication rates. This study found no significant difference in wound complications between minimal-hair and full-hair shave preparations, suggesting minimal shaving is a safe alternative.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurosurgery
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Cochlear implant surgery requires careful preoperative preparation to minimize infection risk.
- Traditional surgical preparation often involves extensive hair shaving of the scalp.
- Alternative methods like minimal-hair shaving are being explored to improve patient comfort and reduce preparation time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of minimal-hair shave preparation on the incidence of surgical complications following cochlear implant procedures.
- To compare complication rates between patients undergoing cochlear implantation with minimal-hair versus full-hair scalp shaving.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective chart review was conducted on 158 patients who underwent primary cochlear implant surgery.
- Surgical complication data, including minor and major wound complications, were analyzed for patients prepared with either full-hair or minimal-hair shave techniques.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare complication rates between the two preparation groups.
Main Results:
- The incidence of early complications (within 6 weeks) was 4.8% in the minimal-hair shave group (5/105) and 5.7% in the full-hair shave group (3/53), with no statistically significant difference (P =.53).
- Delayed complications occurred in 2.9% of the minimal-hair group (3/105) and 1.9% of the full-hair group (1/53), also not statistically significant (P =.58).
- Only one wound complication necessitated cochlear implant replacement.
Conclusions:
- Minimal-hair scalp shaving is not associated with an increased risk of wound complications in patients undergoing cochlear implant surgery.
- The findings suggest that minimal preoperative hair shaving is a safe and viable alternative to the traditional, more extensive hair shaving technique.
- Adopting minimal-hair shaving may enhance patient comfort without compromising surgical safety outcomes.
