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Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Robotic Cochlear Implantation for Direct Cochlear Access
Published on: June 16, 2022
Management of delayed-onset skin flap complications after pediatric cochlear implantation
Qingling Bi1, Zhongyan Chen1, Yong Lv1
1Department of Otolaryngology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Yinghuadong Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China.
Insights
Delayed-onset skin flap complications after pediatric cochlear implantation (CI) are rare but treatable. Effective management strategies, including conservative care and surgical revision, promote wound healing and successful reimplantation.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Wound Healing
Background:
- Delayed-onset skin flap complications can occur after pediatric cochlear implantation (CI).
- Understanding the etiology and effective management is crucial for successful outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review delayed-onset skin flap complications in pediatric CI patients.
- Analyze the causes and explore treatment strategies for these complications.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 811 pediatric CI cases (2003-2019).
- Classification of flap issues and wound histopathology.
- Evaluation of interventions including conservative treatment, revision surgery, and explantation.
Main Results:
- Twelve patients (1.48%) developed skin flap complications.
- Seven cases resolved with conservative treatment.
- Five cases required revision surgery, with 60% achieving wound closure and 40% necessitating explantation, ultimately leading to wound healing and successful reimplantation.
Conclusions:
- Skin flap complications post-CI are infrequent but manageable.
- Comprehensive treatment approaches are essential for achieving stable wound healing in pediatric CI patients.
Purpose:
To review delayed-onset skin flap complications associated with pediatric cochlear implantation (CI) in our institute, analyze the etiology, and explore effective treatment strategies.
Methods:
Retrospective analyses of 811 children who had undergone cochlear implantation between January 2003 and March 2019 were performed. Twelve (1.48%) patients developed skin flap complications after CI. We present a classification of flap issues and wound histopathology following cochlear implantation. The interventions for flap problems included drug treatment, aspiration, local wound care, revision surgery, and explantation depending on the clinical situation. The temporalis myofascial reconstructive option is discussed.
Results:
Seven subjects were cured with conservative treatment. Five cases with flap infection or necrosis underwent revision surgery, with wound closure in three cases (60%) and revision surgery with explantation in the remaining two cases (40%). Explantation ultimately led to wound healing in all cases. They all achieved excellent performance through re-implantation.
Conclusion:
Flap complications after CI are rare but treatable. Comprehensive treatments should be developed to achieve a stable and healed wound for CI.
