Complications in Cochlear Implant

Cochlear implant is considered to be a safe and effective treatment for the profoundly deaf. However, it may be associated with a series of minor or major complications and related to a mechanical failure rate. We report the short- and long-term complications encountered in 464 consecutive multichanel cochlear implantations performed in our otosurgical group between January 1992 and December 2005. Mean age at implantation was 35.2 years, ranging from 1 to 74.2 years. Mean length of severe deafness before implantation was 2.6 years, ranging from 0.4 to 6.2 years, and mean follow-up after implantation was 4 years (range, 0.5 to 12 years).

The total number of complications was 63; 11 were considered major: flap infection with extrusion in 4 cases, postoperative cholesteatoma in 2 cases, persistent middle ear infection, retraction pocket with electrode exposure, electrode migration, meningitis, and ear drum perforation after infection in 1 case each. Explantation was necessary in 3 (0.6%) patients. There were no postoperative deaths or persistent facial palsies.