Cochlear implant fixation using polypropylene mesh and titanium screws.
OBJECTIVE
Fixation of cochlear implants using prosthetic mesh is an improvement of the traditional fixation methods.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review was performed examining all adult and pediatric patients between 1998 and 2003 who underwent cochlear implantation using polypropylene mesh and titanium screws to fix the cochlear implant internal receiver. Patient age at implantation, postoperative infections, device failures, device migrations or extrusions, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, flap complications, epidural hematoma data, and follow-up data were evaluated.


RESULTS
Two hundred and eighty-five patients were identified who received cochlear implantation using the polypropylene mesh securing technique. There were five postoperative infections, two device failures, zero flap complications, zero device migrations or extrusions, zero cerebral spinal fluid leaks, and zero epidural hematomas. The two delayed device failures in this series were not related to fixation technique.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that this technique is widely applicable, technically superior, and not associated with increased complications.
Davis
Bryan M
BM
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery,Vanderbilt Medical Center, 1301 22nd Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232-5555, USA.
Labadie
Robert F
RF
McMenomey
Sean O
SO
Haynes
David S
DS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001299:Audiometry; D001863:Bone Screws; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011126:Polypropylenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D014025:Titanium; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011126:Polypropylenes; D014025:Titanium