Medical or Surgical Complications Related to the Nucleus Multichannel Cochlear Implant

TLDR

The study recommends that all prospective cochlear‑implant surgeons attend a device‑specific training course and practice in a temporal bone laboratory. A questionnaire was distributed to 152 surgeons to survey complications of the Nucleus multichannel cochlear implant, with complications classified as life‑threatening, major (requiring revision surgery), or minor (self‑limited or minimally treated). Among 459 reported operations, 55 complications occurred (11.8 % overall), including one life‑threatening meningitis, 23 major (4.8 %) mainly involving flap design or electrode insertion, and 32 minor (7 %), most of which might have been avoided with proper training, planning, and attention to detail.

Abstract

A questionnaire was sent to 152 surgeons to survey complications associated with the implantation of the Nucleus multichannel cochlear implant. Complications were categorized as life-threatening; major, if they necessitated revision surgery; or minor, if they resolved spontaneously or with minimal treatment. A total of 55 complications occurred in 459 reported operations for an overall complication rate of 11.8%. There were no deaths, but there was one life-threatening complication, a case of meningitis. There were 23 (4.8%) major complications, most of which involved flap design or electrode insertion (and included the case of meningitis). There were 32 (7%) minor complications. Most of the complications might have been avoided by proper training, planning of the operations, and careful attention to detail. We recommend that all prospective implant surgeons attend a device-specific training course and practice in the temporal bone laboratory.