Osseointegrated hearing implant surgery using a novel hydroxyapatite-coated concave abutment design

Abstract

Objective: Recently, a novel hydroxyapatite-coated concave bone-anchored hearing device abutment was introduced, the first designed specifically to improve outcomes in soft-tissue preservation osseointegrated hearing implant surgery. We sought to evaluate our early experience with this abutment.

Study design: A single-center case series with planned data collection including patient-reported outcomes.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Subjects and methods: The first 30 consecutive patients undergoing osseointegrated hearing implant surgery using the Cochlear DermaLock (BA400) abutment at our institution (February-September 2013) were studied. Follow-up was for a minimum of 6 months. The following data were collected: operative duration; wound healing; postoperative complications, chiefly soft-tissue reactions graded by Holger's classification; and postintervention patient-perceived health-related quality of life, as assessed by the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI).

Results: The mean operating time was 16 minutes (range, 9-22 minutes). Favorable and rapid wound healing was observed in all cases. Three patients (10%) reported transient periabutment paraesthesia. Four patients (13.3%) suffered adverse soft-tissue reactions, all of which were successfully managed conservatively and graded as follows: Holger's grade 1 (n = 2), 2 (n = 1), and 3 (n = 1). Respective overall general health, social support, and physical health GBI mean scores were +38 (95% confidence interval [CI], 31 to 45), +51 (95% CI, 42 to 60), +19 (95% CI, 8 to 30), and +8 (95% CI, -1 to 17).

Conclusion: Our preliminary clinical and patient-reported outcomes support soft-tissue preservation surgery and indicate that the technology on which the Cochlear DermaLock (BA400) abutment is based may enhance soft-tissue outcomes in this context. We recommend further appraisal of this approach on a larger scale with more extensive follow-up.

Keywords: abutment; bone-anchored hearing implant; hydroxyapatite; minimal invasive surgery; osseointegrated implant; surgical technique.