Saccular function evolution related to cochlear implantation in hearing impaired children

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neuroscience
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Vestibular input is crucial for psychomotor development in young children.
• Cochlear implantation in deaf children carries a risk of vestibular impairment, potentially affecting balance and motor skills.
• Congenital or surgical vestibular deficits can negatively impact psychomotor and cognitive development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in saccular vestibular function following cochlear implantation in children.
• To compare the impact of two portelectrode insertion methods (cochleostomy vs. round window) on saccular function post-surgery.

Main Methods:

• Cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) were used to assess saccular function.
• cVEMPs were performed on 80 pediatric patients (135 ears) before and after cochlear implantation.
• Saccular function was analyzed based on preoperative status and the surgical portelectrode insertion approach.

Main Results:

• Preoperative saccular areflexia was detected in 24.4% of ears.
• In ears with normal preoperative function, 29.4% lost cVEMP response post-surgery.
• Round window insertion preserved normal saccular function in 73.3% of cases, compared to 68.42% with cochleostomy.

Conclusions:

• Cochlear implantation can lead to saccular vestibular impairment.
• The round window portelectrode insertion approach is associated with better preservation of saccular function.
• Recommending round window insertion may help avoid saccular vestibular deficits and support children's motor skill development.