FURTHER EXPERIENCE WITH A STRAIGHT, VERTICAL INCISION FOR PLACEMENT OF COCHLEAR IMPLANTS

Experience with a straight, vertical incision for cochlear implantatio n in 168 patients of ail ages is reported and comparison made with pre vious experience using a 'C' shaped incision in 173 patients with rega rd to complications encountered. With the straight incision the only c omplication was a wound infection which settled in one week this is in contrast to the 'C' shaped incision, which was associated with a numb er of serious complications. The straight incision also compared favou rably with the other incisions commonly used for cochlear implantation and appears to offer advantages over-them.