SURGICAL ASPECTS OF PEDIATRIC COCHLEAR IMPLANTATION

Cochlear implantation in the paediatric population is now an accepted method of rehabilitating profoundly or totally deaf children. The prob lems of cochlear implantation in children with other significant medic al problems are examined. A retrospective review of the records of the first 45 children implanted at our centre was carried out. The review focused on surgical factors and outcome in addition to variations in technique which have occurred since the programme began. Congenital he aring loss was the most common indication for implantation. Fifteen ch ildren (33 per cent) bad other medical problems, Three cases of flap b reakdown (two occurring after direct trauma to the package bed) and on e case of a misplaced electrode requiring re-implantation accounted fo r the only major complications to date. Minor complications included h ypertrophic scar formation and post-operative wound infection. All chi ldren were using their implants at the time of this review, but two ha ve subsequently been explanted. Cochlear implantation of children with multiple medical problems requires acceptance of a slightly higher ri sk of complications.