Complications in a series of 4400 paediatric cochlear implantation

Complications in a series of 4400 paediatric cochlear implantation
Farhadi M, Daneshi A, Ajalloueyan M, Ghasemi MM, Hashemi BS, Emamjome H, Ajalloueyan Z.
Professor of otolaryngology-head and Neck Surgery, ENT-Head and Neck Research Center and Department, Hazrat Rasoul Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to retrospectively review the complications of paediatric patients undergoing cochlear implantation at four major Iranian cochlear implant centres.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of all patients who underwent primary cochlear implantation from January 1991 to December 2013. The patients
were reviewed for demographic information, and complications including cerebrospinal fluid leak, meningitis, facial palsy, and wound infection.

RESULTS: 4400 records were reviewed. Fifty-four patients were lost to follow-up; therefore, 4346 records were analysed. The most common aetiology of hearing loss
was non-syndromic genetic sensori-neural hearing loss (69%). Other less common aetiologies of hearing loss included TORCH (Toxoplasmosis, Other infections, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes) (11%), syndromic hearing loss (7%), ototoxicity (5%), and autoimmune inner-ear disease (4%). The most common major complications were CSF leak (0.4%), skin necrosis (0.2%), meningitis (0.1%), facial paralysis (0.07%) and massive haemorrhage (0.05).

CONCLUSION: Cochlear implantation continues to be reliable and safe in experienced hands, with a very low percentage of severe complications.