Cochlear Implantation in Patients with Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media: Surgical Outcomes and a Management Algorithm

Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) was considered as a contraindication of cochlear implantation (CI) in the past. Recently, various surgical options have been adopted for CI in CSOM patients with showing a low complication rate.

To evaluate surgical outcomes of CI in patients with CSOM and to propose a management algorithm for those patients.

Thirty-six consecutive patients with CSOM who underwent single stage or staged CI were enrolled. Speech performance, including Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) test and sentence score, and complications were retrospectively analyzed.

The average follow-up was 3.1 years (range 0.5-9.2 years). Postoperative median CAP and sentence scores were 6 and 78%, respectively. Three (8.3%) of the 36 patients had postoperative complications. One experienced breakdown of the ear canal closure. Recurrence of the pars tensa retraction was observed in another patient with adhesive otitis media who underwent CI and cartilage tympanoplasty as a single stage operation. Electrode extrusion occurred in another patient who underwent staged CI with maintenance of a previous open cavity. Subtotal petrosectomy and cavity obliteration were used to manage the latter 2 complications. All implant patients with good mastoid pneumatization exhibited no complications. There were no significant differences in postoperative speech performance and complication rates between single stage CI and staged CI. Based on these current findings, a management algorithm was proposed according to type of CSOM, presence of open cavity, and mastoid pneumatization.

Patients with CSOM show good postoperative speech performance after CI. Proper surgical options according to type of CSOM, presence of open cavity, and mastoid pneumatization may help in reducing complications.