Bilateral, simultaneous cochlear implantation in children: surgical considerations.
OBJECTIVE
The advantages of bilateral, simultaneous cochlear implantation include: the possibility to pre-empt cochlear calcification following meningitis; reduction of the intervention to only one procedure, general anaesthetic and course of clinical care (with obvious benefits for the patient); and greater cost-effectiveness. The disadvantages of such a procedure include: doubling the risk of associated complications; placing the patient on the implanted side during contralateral implantation; the possibility of vestibular alteration simultaneously in both ears; the need for precise planning of symmetrical incisions and implant sites; and longer surgery time.


METHODS
The study cohort included 10 children who underwent bilateral, simultaneous cochlear implantation using the suprameatal approach.


RESULTS
The overall operation time, inclusive of anaesthesia, was approximately three hours in all cases. None of the children had any intra- or post-operative complications.


CONCLUSIONS
From a surgical perspective, bilateral, simultaneous cochlear implantation is a safe procedure. The use of a non-mastoidectomy approach is recommended.
Migirov
Lela
L
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. sabim@bezeqint.net
Kronenberg
J
J
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003051:Cochlea / Q000601:surgery; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008417:Mastoiditis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome