The French Cochlear Implant Registry (EPIIC): Cochlear implantation complications

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate peri- and post-operative complications related to cochlear implantations. We searched for risk factors predicting these complications and analyzed the complications in the youngest and most elderly.

Study design: Retrospective analysis of cochlear implant patients.

Materials and methods: All patients who underwent cochlear implantation in France between January 2012 and December 2016 were anonymized and registered in the EPIIC database. This population included 3483 adults and 2245 children. Their demographic and surgical data and their incidence of peri- or post-operative complications, including their severity, whether major or minor, were all indicated.

Results: The global complication rate was 6.84%. The risk of complication was higher in initial implantation versus reimplantation (P<0.0001). The risk was also higher for bilateral implantation versus unilateral (P<0.0001). Complications were more frequent for patients with cochlear malformation (P=0.002). There was no difference in complication rates across age groups; babies under 1 year old, and the elderly over 80 and even over 90, did not have more complications than the rest of the population. Patients treated in the daily care unit had no more complications than those who were hospitalized for one night or more (P=0.64).

Conclusion: Cochlear implantation is a safe technique with a low incidence of complications. The absence of increased risk in patients at the extremes of the age spectrum justifies offering this solution to all, without age limitation.

Keywords: Cochlear implant; Complications; Registry.