A NEW INCISION FOR PLACEMENT OF COCHLEAR IMPLANTS

A straight, vertical post-aural incision for the 'Cochlear' multichann el cochlear implant has been evaluated in 52 patients (20 adults and 3 2 children). Nineteen of the children were under three years of age an d five of these were under two years of age. The 7 cm long incision is placed approximately 3 mm behind the post-auricular crease and runs f rom the tip of the mastoid to a point 3 cm above the superior attachme nt of the pinna. The incision heals within several days. Because the i ncision is straight interruption of the brood supply to the flaps rais ed is the least possible. This also minimizes the possibility of scalp necrosis and implant extrusion. The likelihood of infection is reduce d by the small size of the incision, minimal soft tissue dissection an d small amount of dead space. Rapid healing has occurred in all cases despite infection in one.