Salvaging the Exposed Cochlear Implant

J Craniofac Surg. 2015 Nov;26(8):e749-52. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000002259.

Abstract

Cochlear implant exposure is an uncommon occurrence that may imperil the fate of the implant. Insertion of this costly device is a delicate procedure, and reimplantation with another implant after removal is expensive and emotionally stressful for patients. Salvage of the original implant can be quite successful with a fully vascularized scalp-nape of the neck rotation flap. The authors review the literature and report their experience in salvaging exposed implants in 2 patients, who had risk factors that compromised healing.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cochlear Implants*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Reoperation
  • Skin Transplantation / methods
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Surgical Flaps / transplantation
  • Surgical Wound Dehiscence / surgery*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / drug therapy
  • Wound Healing / physiology