Cochlear implants - the Vienna operation technique

The aim of the study was to report the current surgical procedure that has been established on the basis of about 200 implantations with the Combi 40/ 40+ implant system. The outstanding features of this procedure are the skin incision and the fact that the electrode can be inserted up to a depth of 34 mm into the cochlea. In order to provide better magnetic positioning of the external parts, a flap-reducing technique may be required. For insertio n we used a soft surgery method to preserve structures within the cochlea. In some cases we were able to inspect the cochlea with microendoscopes, whi ch helped to prevent electrode kinking, since fibrous obliterations were fo und before the insertion. For electrode fixation in the mastoid cavity we u sed bone pate.