The objective of this study was to determine whether insertion length
and number of active channels remained the same after reimplantation o
f a cochlear implant. A retrospective case review of 170 consecutively
implanted multichannedl cochlear implants was conducted. Seventeen of
these devices had to be replaced. Data were analyzed for the Nucleus
cochlear implant users who were reimplanted in the same ear. For most
subjects, insertion length and number of channels remained unchanged,
hut a few subjects experienced substantial decreases. When the whole g
roup was considered, a. small but statistically significant drop was n
oted for both parameters. In conclusion, although reimplantation is te
chnically possible, the first procedure provides the optimal surgical
environment.