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Author Spotlight: Advancements in Impedance Monitoring for Cochlear Implant Surgery
Published on: August 4, 2023
Complications of Cochlear Implant Surgery: A Public Implant Centre Experience
Jawwad Ahmed1, Ghulam Saqulain2, Muhammad Iqbal Javed Khan3
1Dr. Jawwad Ahmed, FCPS (Otolaryngology) Associate Surgeon, Department of Otolaryngology & Cochlear Implantation, Capital Hospital PGMI, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Insights
Cochlear implant surgery in children with congenital profound sensorineural hearing loss showed a low complication rate of 6.4%. Wound infections and acute otitis media were the most frequent issues, with no significant link to age or gender.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Audiology
Background:
- Congenital profound sensorineural hearing loss significantly impacts child development.
- Cochlear implantation is a critical intervention for restoring hearing in affected children.
- Assessing surgical complication rates is vital for evaluating the safety and efficacy of pediatric cochlear implant programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of complications following cochlear implant surgery in pediatric patients.
- To identify the types and frequencies of major and minor complications.
- To analyze the association of complications with patient demographics such as age and gender.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 251 children (aged 1-12 years) who underwent cochlear implantation between July 2015 and July 2019.
- Data collection included demographic information, surgical complications, and treatments received.
- Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-23 with descriptive statistics.
Main Results:
- A total of 251 children were included, with a mean age of 4.05 years; 61.4% were male.
- The overall complication prevalence was 6.4% (16 children), comprising 1.6% major and 4.8% minor complications.
- Wound infection and acute otitis media (1.2% each) were the most common complications; no significant association was found with age (P=0.344) or gender (P=0.519).
Conclusions:
- The public sector cochlear implant program demonstrated a low overall complication rate of 6.4%.
- Wound infection and acute otitis media were identified as the most frequent complications.
- The findings support the safety profile of cochlear implantation in children with congenital profound sensorineural hearing loss.
Objectives:
To determine the prevalence of complications of cochlear implant surgery in children with congenital profound sensorineural hearing loss.
Methods:
This study retrospectively & consecutively reviewed charts of children who underwent cochlear implantation from July 2015 to July 2019 at Cochlear Implant Centre of Otolaryngology Department of Capital Hospital, Islamabad Pakistan. These included cases of both genders aged one to 12 years operated at least one year before the time of data collection. Basic demographic data, complications including major and minor complications and treatment received was noted and statistically analyzed using SPSS-23. Results were presented using descriptive statistics.
Results:
Current study included a sample of N=251 having a mean age of 4.05±2.15 years including 154(61.4%) males and 97(38.6%) females revealed a prevalence of complications of 16(6.4%) with 4(1.6%) major and 12(4.8%) minor complications. Wound infection and acute otitis media with frequency of 3(1.2%) each were the commonest complications, followed by , facial nerve twitching, tinnitus and vertigo, infection and extrusion; and device failure in 2(0.8%) each. However, there was no significant association of complications with age group and gender with P=0.344 and P=0.519 respectively.
Conclusion:
Present public sector implant program is characterized with a very low prevalence of complications of 16(6.4%) with 4(1.6%) major and 12(4.8%) minor complications. Wound infection and acute otitis media were the commonest complications.
