Long-term complications of the transmeatal approach (Open Transcanal) in cochlear implants: A follow-up study

Multiple alternative approaches of cochlear implant surgery have been described, such as the suprameatal approach, transcanal approach, transmeatal approach and middle cranial fossa approach. Transmeatal (open trnascanal) approach has not been adapted since first described in the clinical field. we aimed to assess the long-term complications of the transmeatal approach in a series of 131 patients at our center between 2004 and 2008.

This study was a retrospective case series of all patients who underwent cochlear implants with the transmeatal (open transcanal) approach from May 2004 to December 2008 at King Faisal Specialist and Research Hospital (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), which were conducted by the same surgeon.

Complications were observed often with various combinations-recurrent otitis externa, posterior tympanic membrane perforation, electrode extrusion, cholesteatoma, and chronic mastoiditis. The overall long-term complication rate was 16% (21/131). The gap between the implantation and the diagnosis of a complication ranged from <1 year to 11 years. Major complications were as follows: cholesteatoma in 5 (3.8%) patients, extrusion of the electrode in 5 (3.8%) patients, and tympanic membrane perforation or deep retractions in 5 (3.8%) patients. Minor complications were as follows: recurrent mastoiditis with/without concomitant temporary facial nerve palsy in 4 (3%) patients, recurrent otitis externa infections in 7 (5%) patients, and weakness of the posterior canal wall in 1 patient.

The transmeatal approach posed an high rate of complications on long-term follow-up such as cholestetoma formation, extrusion of electrode or perielectrode reaction formation to tympanic membrane and external auditory canal.