[Surgery of the cochlear implant: complications]

From 1991 to 1994 13 patients underwent cochlear implant in our Department. The surgical results and complications in this group of patients are reviewed. In all cases the cochlear implant was successful and no major complications were recorded. The most common problems was transient dizziness or imbalance. Other complications were minor facial nerve stimulation during the programming of the device, dehiscence of the suture in the tragal region, problems in the insertion of the electrodes in the scala tympani and a case that needed reimplantation due to technical problems with the device. We consider that a proper selection of cases and a precise surgical technique are essential in order to achieve the adaptation of the cochlear implant and avoid pitfalls.