Remote intraoperative monitoring during cochlear implant surgery is feasible and efficient.
OBJECTIVE
Intraoperative testing of cochlear implant devices, establishment of electrical threshold for acoustic reflex, and recording neural responses to electrical stimulation have traditionally required the presence of a cochlear implant audiologist in the operating room. The goal of this study was to determine the feasibility of remote testing to improve time efficiency and reduce cost.


METHODS
Prospective.


METHODS
A standard PC with Tridia VNC software and either Cochlear Corporation or Advanced Bionics Corporation mapping software was configured to perform remote testing. The time required to perform on-site or remote testing was measured.


RESULTS
With the availability of the laptop and internet access, there were no geographic restrictions regarding the site of remote testing. Remote testing was time efficient, requiring 9 minutes of audiologist's time compared with 93 minutes when the audiologist had to travel to the operating room.


CONCLUSIONS
Remote testing of the cochlear implant device and patient's response to electrical stimulation is technically feasible. It is timesaving, practical, and cost efficient.
Department of Otolaryngology, New York University Cochlear Implant Center, New York, NY 10016, USA.
William H
WH
Shapiro
Tina
T
Huang
Theresa
T
Shaw
J Thomas
JT
Roland
Anil K
AK
Lalwani
D001299:Audiometry; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D003201:Computers; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000379:methods*; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000458:organization & administration; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019114:Remote Consultation; D012984:Software