Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Impedance Monitoring for Cochlear Implant Surgery
Published on: August 4, 2023
Intraoperative and postoperative findings in children with myringotomy tubes (MT) undergoing cochlear implantation
Alexa Marie Robbins1, William Larsen Vaughn2, Courtney B Voyles3
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Insights
Cochlear implantation (CI) in children with myringotomy tubes (MT) is safe, with no significant increase in complications or surgical time. Surgeons should anticipate potentially increased middle ear inflammation during CI procedures in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Audiology
Background:
- Myringotomy tubes (MT) are commonly used in pediatric patients with middle ear dysfunction.
- The safety and impact of performing cochlear implantation (CI) in ears with pre-existing or concurrently placed MT require evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare outcomes of pediatric cochlear implantation (CI) in patients with and without myringotomy tubes (MT).
- To assess intraoperative findings, complications, and surgical duration in CI patients with concurrent MT.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 192 pediatric CI surgeries between 2015-2020.
- Comparison of outcomes between CI patients with MT (CI+MT group) and without MT (CI-MT group).
- Statistical analysis including descriptive and bivariable methods.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in intraoperative complications or findings between CI+MT and CI-MT groups.
- MT presence was not statistically linked to increased overall postoperative complications.
- CI+MT patients showed a higher incidence of middle ear mucosal inflammation (P=0.003).
- Surgical length was comparable between the CI+MT and CI-MT groups.
Conclusions:
- Cochlear implantation is safe in pediatric patients with myringotomy tubes.
- Surgeons should be prepared for potential intraoperative findings of increased middle ear inflammation.
- The presence of MT does not significantly alter complication rates or surgical duration in pediatric CI.
Objective:
To evaluate and compare children undergoing cochlear implantation (CI) with myringotomy tubes (MT) placed preoperatively or intraoperatively to those without MT .
Methods:
This was a retrospective review of pediatric patients undergoing CI between 2015 to 2020 at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. CI patients with and without MT were reviewed for the following outcomes: intraoperative findings, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and surgical time. Descriptive and bivariable statistical analysis was performed.
Results:
192 cochlear implant surgeries were included: 116 without MT tubes and 76 with a history of MT. Twenty-six patients had MT present at the time of CI surgery. No statistical difference existed between patients with MT (CI + MT group) and those without MT (CI - MT group) with regard to intraoperative complications (P = 0.760) and intraoperative findings (P = 0.545). MT association with total post-operative complications (GEE) showed no statistical significance (OR 2.45, 95% CI 0.83-7.22, P-value 0.105). CI + MT patients were significantly more likely to have inflamed middle ear mucosa at time of surgery (P = 0.003). CI + MT patients did not have a longer length of surgery compared to the CI - MT group (3.47 h vs 3.3 h, respectively, P = 0.342).
Conclusion:
Our data confirms it is safe to perform CI in ears with myringotomy tubes, although the surgeon should be aware of possibly encountering increased middle ear inflammation during the surgery.
