Surgical and medical complications in different cochlear implant devices

There were no surgery-related complications among the patients in the current study. Positioner and removable magnets have been associated with postoperative problems, and the silicone devices were the only ones found by us to cause foreign body and allergic reactions.

To evaluate the complication rate in patients who were implanted with cochlear devices manufactured by different companies.

This retrospective study included all the patients who underwent cochlear implantation (138 Nucleus, 105 Med-El and 14 Clarion devices) via the suprameatal approach in our department during 2001-2007 and followed up for at least 18 months. Complications such as magnet displacement, foreign body reaction and protrusion of the positioner were considered as being implant-related. Allergy to implant, cholesteatoma, perforated tympanic membrane, intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, wound breakdown, haematoma or seroma, and vestibular disturbances were considered to be patient-related.

Vestibular and wound problems emerged as the most common complications, but there were no significant differences in their rate of occurrence among the various devices. Explantation of the device was required in one case of foreign body reaction, one case of allergy to implant and one case of extrusion of the positioner followed by device failure.