Bone-anchored hearing aid implant location in relation to skin reactions.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of implant location and skin thickness on the frequency and degree of adverse skin reactions around the abutment.


METHODS
Retrospective multivariate analysis of implant position related to skin thickness and clinical variables.


METHODS
Tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Random sample of 248 patients with bone-anchored hearing aids.


METHODS
Bone-anchored hearing aid implant placement by means of the linear incision technique.


METHODS
Type and number of skin reactions and implant loss.


RESULTS
The mean (SD) distance from the external auditory ear canal to implant was 48.8 (8.0) mm (range, 29-84 mm). The mean skin thickness was 5.5 (1.9) mm. Severe skin reactions (Holgers classification, 2-4) were seen in 46 of the 248 patients (18.5%). Implant loss occurred in 4 patients (1.6%). Three implants were lost owing to failed osseointegration (1.3%), and another implant was removed because of deterioration of cochlear function (0.9%). No implant was lost as a result of infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Implant location and skin thickness were not correlated with implant loss or the frequency or degree of adverse skin reactions around the abutment.
Faber
Hubert T
HT
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, DondersCentre of Neuroscience, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
de Wolf
Maarten J F
MJ
de Rooy
Jacky W J
JW
Hol
Myrthe K S
MK
Cremers
Cor W R J
CW
Mylanus
Emmanuel A M
EA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D001844:Bone Conduction; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016348:Osseointegration; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*