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Updated: May 30, 2026
Performing Repeated Intraoperative Impedance Telemetry Measurements during Cochlear Implantation
Published on: August 4, 2023
Revision surgeries and medical interventions in young cochlear implant recipients
Emmanuel Lescanne1, Musaed Al Zahrani, David Bakhos
1CHRU de Tours (Centre d'implant cochléaire des Service d'ORL et chirurgie cervico-faciale et Service de chirurgie pédiatrique de la tête et du cou), 37044 Tours, France. lescanne@univ-tours.fr
Insights
Cochlear implantation is a safe and reliable rehabilitation for deafened children, with reimplantation being feasible. Long-term follow-up is essential to manage potential surgical complications in pediatric cochlear implant recipients.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cochlear implantation is a critical intervention for pediatric hearing loss.
- Understanding complication rates and management is vital for optimizing outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document device failures and complications after pediatric cochlear implantation.
- To analyze revision surgeries and medical interventions during follow-up.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of children under 15 who received cochlear implants between 1994 and 2010.
- Systematic review of all recorded complications and treatments.
Main Results:
- 140 children included; 18 (12.9%) experienced complications, including 8 reimplantations.
- Postoperative infection was the primary cause of complications (10 cases).
- No statistically significant increase in complications was observed in children implanted before age two.
Conclusions:
- Cochlear implantation is a safe and effective rehabilitation for young children.
- Reimplantation is feasible with successful electrode insertion possible.
- Mandatory long-term follow-up is crucial for minimizing and controlling surgical complications.
Objective:
To report devices failures and postoperative or medical complications after cochlear implantation in children and to discuss revision surgeries and medical interventions occurring during follow-up.
Methods:
In this retrospective study in a tertiary referral pediatric hospital, we included a consecutive sample of children younger than 15 years old who received implants between January 1994 and June 2010. All complications and treatments were systematically reviewed.
Results:
One hundred and forty children were included in this study. Four children received bilateral cochlear implantation. Mean age at implantation was 43.6 months (age ranged from 11 months to 15 years). Overall, 74 children were boys (52.1%) and 35 children (25%) received implants before the age of two. Inner ear malformations were found in 19 children (13.5%), while 18 children (12.9%) experienced complications: cochlear reimplantations (n=8), other revision surgeries (n=3) and medical treatment (n=7). Excluding device failures, 13 children (9.2%) experienced complications. Postoperative infection was the principal cause of these complications (10 cases). Four children younger than 2 years at implantation suffered complication postoperatively. In these children, there was no statistically significant increase in complications compared to older children (P>0.05). Complete electrode insertion was achieved in 7 of the 8 reimplanted children.
Conclusion:
Cochlear implantation could be considered a safe and reliable rehabilitation for deafened young children. Reimplantation was feasible and complete electrode insertion was achievable. Long-term follow up was mandatory to minimize and control surgical complication.