Revision cochlear implant surgery: Causes and outcome

OBJECTIVE: To review experience with cochlear implant reimplantations, including effect of reinsertion on audiological performance. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective review of cochlear implant reinsertions in patients seen in a private tertiary neurotologic practice. Forty-three patients (8 adults and 35 children) underwent revision cochlear implant surgery for device failure or upgrade. Findings at initial and repeat operations were noted, including number of electrodes inserted, and speech perception performance data were obtained when available. RESULTS: Five complications occurred in the reinsertion operations, 2 (6%) intraoperative cerebral spinal fluid leaks and 3 (7%) postoperative flap breakdowns with implant extrusion. Number of electrodes inserted was unchanged in 40/43 patients. Speech perception abilities remained stable or improved. CONCLUSION. Cochlear reimplantation is technically feasible and allows for continued auditory stimulation. SIGNIFICANCE. Patients facing reimplantation must be aware of the possibility of differences in sound quality and speech recognition performance with their replacement device, but speech perception ability will typically remain the same or improve.