[Complications in cochlear implantation].
OBJECTIVE
The objective [corrected] of this paper is to present the surgical complications in cochlear implant, in a serie of 346 patients, submitted to surgery by the same surgical team with the subsequent control and follow-up for a long period of time. We show the description and the handling of each complication.


METHODS
A follow-up was carried out on 346 cochlear implant patients by the same surgical team, from February 1993 to March 2004. The complications were assessed and their handling and follow-up is reported. The series includes 211 children and 135 adults.


RESULTS
The complication rate was 9.8% (n = 34). The complications found were: Intraoperatory Complications: Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks (CSF), 7; Facial nerve injury, 1; excessive thinning of the posterior wall, 2; inmediate post operatory complications: infection of the surgical wound, 4; post operatory persistent pain, 1; Tinnitus, 2; late complications: Mastoiditis, 2; extrusion of the stimulating receptor, 1; facial nerve stimulation, 5; late infections of the stimulation receptor, 2; technical failure of the implanted system, 7. Neither alteration or migration was found in the receptor placing.


CONCLUSIONS
The cochlear implant surgery has a low morbility. We found no cases of meningitis due to this procedure.
Ramos
A
A
Servicio de Otorrinolaringología y Patología Cérvico Facial, Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. ramosorl@idecnet.com
Charlone
R
R
de Miguel
I
I
Valdivielso
A
A
Cuyas
J M
JM
Pérez
D
D
Vasallo
J R
JR
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology