[Cochlear implantation--risk and complications]

As any other medical procedure cochlear implantation could be risky and there are possibilities for the development of complications. Serious and adequate diagnostic as well as preoperative preparation is necessary for cochlear implantation. Omissions in the audiological, radiological or psychological diagnostic procedures could provoke far reaching consequences in rehabilitation process. The commonest intraoperative complications may be divided into major and minor complications. Minor complications are those that resolve without surgical intervention: flap infection, change in taste, transitory balance problems, transitory facial palsy, non excessive intraoperative bleeding and other. Major complications required revision surgery because of flap problems, device extrusion or migration and device failure. CSF leak, meningitis as well as facial palsy. Adequate flap design should insure prevention of the flap necrosis, which is a very unpleasant complication. Principles of prevention, management, and sequelae of complications are given in this paper. Data presented in this paper indicate that cochlear implant surgery in children is a reliable and safe procedure with a low percentage of severe complications. Problems related to ear surgery can occur and should be manageable with standard procedures.