Cochlear Implant Failure and Revision Surgery in Pediatric Population

Objective:This study aimed to report pediatric cochlear reimplantation data focusing on failure of the device and to assess surgical challenges and functional outcomes.Methods:Retrospective case review from 1990 to 2012. Tertiary referral academic center. A retrospective review of medical and surgical records, audiologic results, and report of the manufacturer’s analysis was performed. The causes of revision cochlear implantation were divided into hard failure and soft failure. Results compared speech perception in open set or closed set words before and after revision surgery with cochlear implant only.Results:During the study period, 877 cochlear implantations were performed. Our reimplantation rate for failure of the device is 5.7% (50 of 877). The main reasons for hard failure were loss of hermeticity and cracked casing following head trauma. Surgical difficulties might be due to neo-osteogenesis related to the use of bone dust. Initial atraumatic insertion is important to ensure that revision surgeri...