title: Simultaneous cochlear implantation in children: the Great Ormond Street experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyse the surgical aspects and safety of bilateral simultaneous cochlear implantation in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective case series at a tertiary paediatric centre in the United Kingdom. Surgical times, analgesia and antiemetic use, and complications were analysed for the first 25 bilateral simultaneous cochlear implants performed at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children between September 2007 and December 2009. These were compared with a consecutive group of sequentially implanted children whose second implant was performed during the same period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total time for simultaneous implantation was significantly less than the cumulative time required for sequential implantation (P < 0.05). In addition, the number of paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, and antiemetic doses was significantly less for simultaneous implantation than for sequential implantation (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the number of doses of analgesia and antiemetic required for simultaneous implantation were no higher than for single-side surgery (P > 0.05). No difference in complication rates was seen between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bilateral simultaneous cochlear implantation in children is safe and results in a reduction in total theatre time when compared with the cumulative time required for sequential implantation. Simultaneous implantation also reduces total analgesia and antiemetic requirements and length of stay to levels comparable with single-side implantation.
authors.affiliation: Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. joe.grainger@bch.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grainger
authors.forename: Nicolaas E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Jonas
authors.forename: Lesley A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Cochrane
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D003638:Deafness / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013996:Time and Motion Studies
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000932:Antiemetics