Complications following cochlear implantation in patients with anomalous inner ears: experiences in Asan Medical Center.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the rate of postoperative complications was higher in patients with anomalous inner ears than in patients with normal inner ears, most were minor and could be managed conservatively. These findings suggest that cochlear implantation (CI) is safe even for patients with anomalous inner ears in experienced hospitals.


OBJECTIVE
To report complications encountered in patients with various types of anomalous inner ears undergoing CI in Asan Medical Center.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed 388 patients who underwent CI between April 1999 and July 2006; of these, 80 patients had various inner ear anomalies. Immediate complications were defined as those occurring within 1 week of implantation and delayed complications as those occurring after 1 week. Minor and major complications were defined by severity requiring further management.


RESULTS
Of the 80 patients with anomalous inner ears, 20 cases (25.0%) had postoperative complications, including 5 (6.3%) with major complications: facial nerve palsy, recurrent meningitis, device failure, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. Re-implantations were performed in three patients (3.8%).
Ahn
Joong Ho
JH
Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Chung
Jong Woo
JW
Lee
Kwang-Sun
KS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002558:Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies