Reimplantation as an upgrade with extension of the cochlear coverage

Introduction Reimplantation is a procedure that has been performed safely by now. In 2017 and 2018 we already reported on the results of our patients who received a technical upgrade. In the analysis of the electrode position of the patients implanted many years ago, it was found that the electrodes were deeply inserted without covering the basal parts of the cochlea. In the "up-grade" reimplantation to be performed, a longer electrode was chosen, which achieves the former insertion depth and additionally covers the basal parts of the cochlea. Materials and methods: We report on 17 patients. Here we compare two groups: A group (n = 13), which were reimplanted in the sense of an upgrade, without consideration of the complete coverage. The other group (n = 4) contains patients in whom the cochlear coverage was deliberately extended by means of a long electrode.

Results In the group of upgrades with the electrode without complete coverage, the same result was achieved in the Freiburg monosyllabic understanding preoperatively as postoperatively (27%). In the group with patients who received a longer electrode, monosyllabic understanding increased from 15% preoperatively to 40% postoperatively.

Discussion: From the point of view of our clinic, the extension of cochlear coverage in patients undergoing reimplantation represents a chance of improvement. It is important to carry out a preoperative evaluation of the medical and radiological risks. Patients can be offered both the usual low frequencies as well as high frequencies, which were not stimulated due to the deep insertion. Our approach in these cases is now the extension of the cochlear coverage.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
10. Juni 2020