The use of honey in cochlear implant associated wounds in pediatric patients

Abstract

Introduction: The use of honey in wound care is becoming more common due to the proven benefit in all three phases of wound healing, as well as the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties. We present our experience using TheraHoney gel, a medical grade honey, for the successful treatment of cochlear implant associated skin breakdown.

Objective: To describe the role of TheraHoney gel in the management of cutaneous infection and ulceration associated with cochlear implants.

Methods: Three cases of wounds treated traditionally with antibiotics, plus the addition of TheraHoney, were retrospectively reviewed. The first patient had a superficial 1 × 1 cm ulcer, the second patient had bilateral ulcers: one superficial 1.5 × 1.5 cm ulcer and the other a 1.5 × 2 cm stage III pressure ulcer with an exposed receiver stimulator, and the third patient with a 3 × 3.5 cm stage III ulcer with an exposed receiver stimulator.

Results: With the addition of TheraHoney gel, complete wound closure was achieved at all three patients without the need for surgical reconstruction.

Conclusion: Cutaneous infection with or without skin breakdown is a common delayed complication after cochlear implantation. We demonstrate the efficacy of adding medical grade honey in promoting healing in infected scalp pressure ulcers overlying the cochlear implant site.

Keywords: Cochlear implant; Cochlear implant complications; Cochlear implantation; Implant extrusion; Medicinal honey; Pediatric Otolaryngology; Scalp wounds; Wound healing.