Evaluation of Bone Conduction Implant Stability and Soft Tissue Status in Children in Relation to Age, Bone Thickness, and Sound Processor Loading Time

Abstract

Age at the time of implantation on average was 9.8 years (min. 5.2 yr; max. 16 yr). On average, ISQ value on each of the study observations in this group equaled to 59.17 (median, 58.79). Seventh to tenth day post-surgery seemed to be a sensitive period as the lowest ISQ values (on average: 56.38 ISQ) were recorded for these dates. On average, implant was loaded 7.5 weeks after surgery in the study group (min. 2 wk, max. 14 wk). In none of the subjects the significant decrease of the implant stability values after sound processor loading was observed. Statistically significant correlation rate (p < 0.05) showed that the thicker the bone the higher the obtained ISQ value on each of the visits. It was also confirmed that the younger the implanted child, the higher the skin reactions grade at the 2 to 4 weeks post-sound processor fitting. There was no correlation observed between the time of the sound processor fitting and the skin reactions status.