Digital Live Imaging of intraoperative Electrocochleography – first description of feasibility and hearing preservation during Cochlear Implantation

Introduction Intraoperative electrocochleography (ECochG) during cochlear implantation is a promising tool to preserve residual hearing. However, the time gap between insertion of the electrode and acoustic feedback from the audiologist to the surgeon causes delay and subsequently irreparable damage to cochlear structures. In this feasibility study, for the first time real-time visualization of intraoperative ECochG via digital microscope (ARRISCOPE^®) directly to the surgeon was successfully performed in five patients.

Methods Intraoperative setting was preliminarily tested in the lab. 10 patients with residual hearing underwent cochlear implantation. Intraoperative EcochG responses were collected and direct visualization during the time of insertion into the surgeon’s field of view in the binoculars using augmented realtime digital imaging was realized. Time of electrode insertion was taken. Hearing preservation was determined by testing postoperative behavioral thresholds.

Results Digital live visualization of intraoperative ECochG using image augmentation in a digital microscope (ARRISCOPE^®) was successfully performed and enabled direct adaptation of the surgeon’s insertion behavior. Mean time of electrode insertion was 129,2 seconds. Postoperative behavioral thresholds were comparable to preoperatively taken thresholds. Preservation of residual hearing was in almost all cases possible.

Discussion This study is the first to describe digital visualization of intraoperative EcochG as a new method enabling the surgeon to directly react to changes in amplitude of the cochlea microphonics. Our results show that augmentation of the intraoperative live imaging with electrical potentials can add to hearing preservation during cochlear implantation.

Poster-PDF A-1285.pdf

Cochlear Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Hannover, Germany; Munich Surgical Imaging^®, Munich, Germany

Conflict of interest

The first author points out the following conflict of interest: Cochlear Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Hannover, Germany hat die Software zur EcochG Messung zur Verfügung gestellt; Munich Surgical Imaging^®, Munich, Germany das Laborsetting sowie die erforderlichen technischen Features

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
13. Mai 2021