Management of cochlear implant infections

Objective: The aim of this study was to illustrate and discuss management of cochlear implant infections. Study Design: The study design was a retrospective case review. Setting: This study was performed at a tertiary referral center with an associated Veterans Administration Hospital. Patients: Postlingually deafened adults who had revision surgery for delayed cochlear implant infections were included in this study. Intervention: Medical and surgical management of device infection without explantation. Main Outcome Measures: Eradication of infection without loss of speech reception. Results: All four patients were successfully managed without explantation. Conclusions: Explantation of an infected but functioning multichannel implant is not mandatory in the absence of systemic sepsis.