A database system for the registration of complications and failures in cochlear implant surgery applied to over 1000 implantations performed in Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Objective: To create a system for the uniform registration and classification of complications and failures in cochlear implant surgery, and apply it to all the patients who underwent implantation in our clinic. Method: The definition of a medical complication was established, and data for all cochlear implantations performed between 1987 and 2012 were entered into a custom-made database system. Results: One or more medical complications were registered in 19.0 per cent of 1003 cochlear implantations. The incidence of 'hard failure' was 2.3 per cent. Findings revealed a decrease in device failures over the years; the rate of medical complications remained constant. Conclusion: Our database system, which is available free of charge, enables fast and accurate data entry. There were a relatively high number of (minor) complications in our series, but comparison with the relevant literature is difficult. This emphasises the need for a uniform definition of 'complication' as it relates to cochlear implant surgery, and an appropriate classification system for such complications.