Auricular cartilage flap for device salvage in revision cochlear implant surgery

TL;DR

A cartilage flap was used to salvage a visible cochlear implant in a patient who could not afford a new device, preserving their hearing access.

Contribution

A novel surgical technique using auricular cartilage to preserve a cochlear implant during revision surgery.

Findings

The cartilage-reinforced flap successfully concealed the visible implant electrode.

The approach avoided the need for a new implant, preserving the patient's access to sound.

This method offers a solution when standard revision protocols are not feasible.

Abstract

Although the number of cochlear implant surgeries performed to restore hearing in people with hearing loss is increasing with the expansion of indications, the likelihood of complications and revision surgeries is decreasing proportionally as surgical techniques and device technology have evolved over the years. In this case, a cartilage-reinforced flap approach was used to solve the problem of a patient whose implant electrode became visible under the skin five years after the initial surgery. Since it was not possible to replace the implant during revision surgery due to financial reasons, this surgical approach was preferred to preserve the device. In certain situations it may be necessary to develop solutions outside of established protocols. In this case, while the standard approach would be to remove the implant, create a new implant bed and perform a revision surgery with a new implant, the patient’s inability to obtain a new device necessitated the preservation of the existing implant. This approach successfully resolved the problem and prevented the patient from losing access to sound.

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