[Cochlear implantation with suprameatal approach in Chinese children].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the technique of the suprameatal approach for cochlear implantation in Chinese profound sensory hearing loss children.


METHODS
Suprameatal approach for cochlear implantation were used in 50 cases (total 53 ears) with profound sensory hearing loss from May 2005 to January 2007. The electrode was passed through the suprameatal tunnel and went between the incus and chorda tympani into the scala tympani.


RESULTS
Electrodes were completely inserted in 51 ears. There were no postoperative complications in all cases. Although the long effect need to be observed, all cases received better hearing and speech development benefit from cochlear implantation in the follow-up period. Among the 50 cases, 26 had speech perception in the open condition; 18 patients could speak short sentences although not clearly; and 6 patients learned to speak individual words only.


CONCLUSIONS
The suprameatal approach was found to be a simple and safe technique that does not need mastoidectomy and avoid endangering the facial nerve and the chorda tympani. It enables wide exposure of middle ear and is especially suitable for cases with narrow facial recess or anteriorly located facial nerve.
Dept. Otorhinolaryngology, Affiliated Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Otorhinolaryngology Inst. of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Clinical Auditory Center of Shanghai, Shanghai 200233, China. yinshankai@china.com
Shan-Kai
SK
Yin
Lin-E
LE
Wang
Ya-Qin
YQ
Wu
Zheng-Nong
ZN
Chen
Jian
J
Zhang
Wen-Sheng
WS
Zhou
Wei-Dong
WD
Zhou
Jia-Yun
JY
Huang
Zhi-Sen
ZS
Shen
Jian-Xin
JX
Qiu
D000293:Adolescent; D044466:Asian People; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D004423:Ear / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male