Minimally Invasive Cochlear Implantation with Mastoidal Three-Layer Flap Technique

Vol. 71, No. 5, 2009

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Original Paper

Minimally Invasive Cochlear Implantation with Mastoidal Three-Layer Flap Technique
Tuncay Ulug^a, Aysenur Meric Teker^b

^aOtolaryngology Department, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, and
^bOtolaryngology Department, Vakif Gureba Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

Address of Corresponding Author

ORL 2009;71:292-298 (DOI: 10.1159/000258680)

Key Words

Cochlear implantation
Complications
Minimally invasive surgery
Sensorineural hearing loss
Superficial musculoaponeurotic system
Surgical technique

Abstract

Aims: To describe and evaluate a minimally invasive cochlear implantation approach using mastoidal three-layer flap (TLF) technique. Methods: We conducted a prospective clinical study at a tertiary referral center. The study population comprised 32 males and 16 females, with an age range of 1-51 years. Thirty-nine patients were operated on using the TLF technique and 9 patients were operated on using a classical cochlear implantation technique. The TLF technique was based on using the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) as an additional, strong flap layer. The TLF, with 3 different pedicules, comprised an anteriorly based 4-cm skin flap, a superiorly based temporomastoidal flap, which included the SMAS, and an anteriorly based periostal Palva type flap in the same mastoidal area. Results: No major complications, including flap-wound problems and receiver-stimulator migration or extrusion, were encountered. The mean operation time was 66 min in the TLF population and 92 min in the classical operation population, which shows a statistically significant difference noted in the time of operation (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: The TLF cochlear implantation enables complete receiver-stimulator coverage and safe fixation without any additional procedures, while allowing reduced operation time.

Author Contacts

Tuncay Ulug, MD
Otorhinolaryngology Department
Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University
TR-34390 Capa, Istanbul (Turkey)
Fax +90 21 2234 1551, E-Mail ulugt@ttmail.com

Article Information

Parts of this paper were presented at the 3rd Consensus Meeting on Auditory Implants, June 14-15, 2007, in Marseille, France.

Received: June 5, 2009
Accepted after revision: September 15, 2009
Published online: November 13, 2009
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 6, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 20

Medline Abstract (ID 19923871)

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