Late skin flap failure following cochlear implantation

The objective of the study was to determine risk factors for late skin flap failure following cochlear implantation. The study design was a retrospective case series. Data were collated from 371 implanted patients over a ten-year period. Of these patients, 1.3 per cent (n = 5) developed late skin flap failure. It is concluded that skin flap failure is a significant, though relatively uncommon, complication of cochlear implant surgery. What causes flap failure and why it should occur in such a variable fashion are still largely unknown, though infection undoubtedly plays an important role. The aetiological factors associated with flap failure and possible prevention strategies are discussed.