Background: To achieve better speech performance following cochlear implantation (CI), measuring the patient's cochlear duct length (CDL) and determining the appropriate length of the CI array are important.
Objective: To investigate the CDL in CI patients after using the OTOPLAN software preoperatively and compare the results of angular insertion depth (AID) estimation by OTOPLAN and postoperative radiography.
Materials and methods: The study included 105 Japanese CI patients with normal cochleae. We measured the CDL using OTOPLAN and the position of the tip channel of the electrode for each selected electrode array, and estimated the AID using the software.
Results: The mean CDL was 35.1 ± 1.6 mm. Preoperatively, the mean estimated AID was 580.3 ± 57.8°. Postoperative radiography revealed a mean AID of 583.0 ± 56.7°, demonstrating a strong linear correlation between the two measurements (R2 = 0.635).
Conclusion and significance: Our findings revealed that CDL varies widely, which is consistent with previous studies. To achieve better speech perception, surgeons should select the appropriate length of CI electrode array based on the individual's CDL. Preoperative measurement of each CDL by OTOPLAN, which is clinically feasible and comparable to postoperative evaluation, can be used to ensure selection of the appropriate electrode array length.
Keywords: Cochlear implant; angular insertion depth; cochlear duct length; deafness; hearing loss.