Successful Pediatric Cochlear Implantation In Persistent Stapedial Artery: First Reported Case In India...

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Vascular Anatomy

Background:

• Persistent stapedial artery (pSA) is a rare vascular anomaly.
• Its presence can complicate middle ear surgeries, including cochlear implantation.
• Successful pediatric cochlear implantation in cases of pSA is not well-documented, especially in India.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first successful pediatric cochlear implantation in India for patients with bilateral persistent stapedial artery (pSA).
• To highlight the importance of preoperative imaging and diagnosis in managing unilateral and bilateral pSA during cochlear implantation.
• To provide insights into surgical decision-making and patient counseling for pSA in pediatric cochlear implant candidates.

Main Methods:

• Preoperative diagnosis of persistent stapedial artery (pSA) using advanced imaging techniques.
• Surgical planning and execution of cochlear implantation in pediatric patients with pSA.
• Case reporting of two pediatric patients: one with bilateral pSA and another with unilateral pSA.

Main Results:

• Successful pediatric cochlear implantation was achieved in both patients with pSA.
• The first case involved bilateral pSA, and the second involved unilateral pSA.
• Preoperative imaging facilitated informed counseling and surgical decision-making.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric cochlear implantation is feasible and successful in patients with persistent stapedial artery (pSA).
• A preoperative imaging checklist is crucial for identifying pSA, enabling effective patient counseling and surgical planning.
• This study establishes a precedent for managing pSA in pediatric cochlear implantation in India.