External auditory canal closure in cochlear implant surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate surgical techniques and complications associated with external auditory canal (EAC) closure in cochlear implant surgery.


METHODS
Retrospective case review.


METHODS
Tertiary referral center with a large cochlear implant program.


METHODS
Twenty-eight patients (8 adults and 20 children) underwent multichannel cochlear implantation with EAC closure. The follow-up periods ranged between 1 and 10 years. Closure of the EAC was performed in conjunction with implantation of ears with chronic suppurative otitis media or cochlear drill-out procedures for ossification, or for access to the cochlea in patients with abnormal temporal bone anatomy. A modified Rambo technique was used for EAC closure in all but one case.


METHODS
Cochlear implantation with EAC closure and subsequent clinical and radiologic follow-up.


METHODS
Postoperative complications or the development of cholesteatoma in the implanted ear.


RESULTS
Cholesteatoma developed in the implanted ear in two patients. Breakdown of EAC closure occurred in one of these patients. The details of these patients are reviewed.


CONCLUSIONS
Closure of EAC can be done with relatively low risk. Close and careful follow-up is required for early detection of a developing cholesteatoma.
El-Kashlan
Hussam K
HK
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. hussam@umich.edu
Arts
H Alexander
HA
Telian
Steven A
SA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D003051:Cochlea / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D004431:Ear, External / Q000601:surgery*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000002:abnormalities; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000601:surgery; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed