The implant-site split-skin graft technique for the bone-anchored hearing aid

We describe the technique of implant-site split-skin grafting for the bone- anchored hearing aid (BAHA). Twenty-five patients have undergone this proce dure (20 adults and five children) since 1993 with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Fifteen adults were operated upon as single stage surgery, all other cases (including all children) were performed in two stages. In four patie nts (16%) significant early graft inflammation was encountered which settle d with outpatient treatment. In one the abutment had to be temporarily remo ved to allow the graft to settle. All patients now have a stable graft site . This surgical technique is straightforward and a separate graft donor sit e is avoided. It would appear this technique results in a stable BAHA graft site with low associated morbidity.