Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026
Robotic Cochlear Implantation for Direct Cochlear Access
Published on: June 16, 2022
An illuminated retractor for minimal access surgery in cochlear implantation: How we do it
Andrew Riskalla1, Kim Wall, Alec Fitzgerald O'Connor
1Auditory Implant Centre, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Guy's and St Thomas Hospitals, London, UK.
Conclusion:
Use of a Langenback retractor with an Ultrathin™ Lightmat(®) light source can adequately illuminate the entire surgical field inside the subperiosteal pocket and facilitate ease of surgery and safer drilling.
Objectives:
Minimal access surgery for cochlear implantation has become widely accepted as it reduces surgical time and morbidity. Adequate illumination is required when drilling a bony recess for the receiver-stimulator package within a subperiosteal pocket.
Methods:
An Ultrathin™ Lightmat(®) adhesive strip was attached to the Langenback retractor used for retraction of the wound.
Results:
No adverse effects or surgical complications associated with the use of the Lightmat(®) occurred. It was particularly helpful in the bony dissection to the dura often needed in paediatric cochlear implantation.
