Case Series of Veria Technique Cochlear Implant Done at Our Centre (VIMS and RC)

Introduction Veria technique used for cochlear implantation is a technique involving endaural route for the cochleostomy with a transcanal tunnel drilled in posterior canal wall, it is a nonmastoidectomy technique which provides a wide visible area for performing the electrode insertion into cochlea.

Case Presentation Six prelingual deaf and mute children coming to our outpatient department within the age group of 2 to 5 years during 2011 to 2017 with preoperative assessment, which included detailed antenatal, intranatal, postnatal, and developmental history and speech assessment including brainstem-evoked response audiometry, otoacoustic emissions, electroencephalogram, a complete clinicopsychological evaluation, and radiological assessment including HRCT temporal bone. All these patients had undergone a hearing aid trial with no significant benefit. Hearing improvement and patient response to speech therapy was noted in the postoperative period.

Discussion Veria technique also known as Transcanal technique, which can also be called as the minimally invasive technique for cochlear implant is a nonmastoidectomy technique done through endaural route for chocleostomy with transcanal tunnel drilled in posterior canal wall using a specially designed perforator to make the tunnel in the posterior canal wall. Conventional methods have been effective as well but are more time consuming but are more prone to complications in patients with small facial recess and cochlear malformations and cochlear rotation. Veria technique can be performed in infants who have not yet developed mastoid completely. This technique can be used in cases of cochlear malformations and rotations with no damage to facial nerve.

Conclusion In the six cases operated, Veria technique prove to be a simple, safe, and effective method of cochlear implantation with postoperative speech therapy playing a crucial role.