Scanning electron microscopical analysis of the acute and chronic effects of intra-cochlear electrode implantation

Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the acute histopathological effects immediately after surgical implantation of a 2-channel electrode, and the chronic effects after long-term placement of the perscalar implant. This study with cats shows that an atraumatic implantation can be achieved and that the peripheral neural structures were retained although the hair cells degenerated and the spatial organization of the supporting cells was slightly changed. The population of hair cells outside the region of the implanted electrode was not affected.