Unexpected findings and surgical complications in 505 consecutive cochlear implantations: a proposal for reporting consensus

Abstract

Conclusion: Cochlear implantation is a safe procedure in experienced hands, as the rate of severe complications is below 2%. Complications differ between children and adults, and transient disequilibrium/vertigo is the most common complication, followed by wound infection, haematoma/oedema and transient chorda tympani syndrome. An international consensus on the reporting of complications is proposed, as a high degree of variability occurs in the literature, which precludes an overview necessary for adequate patient information and for incentives aimed at prevention.

Objective: To report unexpected findings and surgical complications in 505 consecutive cochlear implantations, and propose a consensus for reporting complications.

Methods: This was a retrospective file review of 367 consecutive patients (505 implantations), of which 187 children had received 313 implants and 180 adults 192 implants.

Results: The overall complication rate was 29.1%, with a major complication rate of 1.8%. When deducting vertigo/disequilibrium, the overall complication rate was 18.3%. Adults had a complication rate of 58.8%, 1.6% being major. Vertigo/disequilibrium was the most common complication (25%), followed by wound infection (8.9%) and transient chorda tympani syndrome (5.7%). In the paediatric group, complications occurred in 14.7%, 1.9% being major. The children suffered most frequently from wound infection (3.8%), vertigo/disequilibrium (2.2%) and haematoma/oedema (2.2%).