Partial insertion of the nucleus multichannel cochlear implant: technique and results.

TLDR

Cochlear implant surgery aims to fully insert the electrode array into the scala tympani, but incomplete insertion often results from bone growth after meningitis, prompting techniques such as cochlear drilling or alternative electrode placement. The study assessed postoperative outcomes in eight patients receiving the Nucleus multichannel cochlear implant at NYU Medical Center, supplemented by nationwide adult and pediatric data. Postoperative speech discrimination ranged from marginal closed‑set performance to 40 % on open‑set tests, and outcomes were influenced by surgical technique, electrode placement, and the number of electrodes and channels used.

Abstract

The goal of cochlear implant surgery is to insert the entire electrode array into the scala tympani. Incomplete insertion is usually attributable to the presence of new bone formation as a result of meningitis. Surgical techniques for dealing with obstruction include various degrees of drilling of the cochlea or alternative placement of the electrode array. We evaluated the postoperative performance of eight such patients implanted with the Nucleus multichannel cochlear implant at NYU Medical Center as well as data from adults and children nationwide. Scores ranging from marginal closed-set speech discrimination to 40 percent on open-set speech recognition tests were obtained. Surgical procedure, placement, and number of electrodes as well as number of channels in use affect the ultimate performance of these patients.