Epicutaneous patch test--a new diagnostic option to prevent the rejection of silicone-covered cochlear implants in children.
OBJECTIVE
Cochlear implantation (CI) is a revolutionary method for hearing rehabilitation in patients with severe or profound sensorineural hearing loss. One of the surgical complications may be the necrosis of the skin flap above the receiver-stimulator coil, resulting in device extrusion. Our aim was to find the plausible causes of the silicone covered implant rejection.


METHODS
Authors present four cases of cochlear implant rejection, briefly describe their dermato-surgical solutions and analyse their innovative method - the epicutanoeus patch testing with silicone samples.


RESULTS
They observed positive skin reaction in three of the four cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Authors analyse the applicability and results of their surgical solutions and the epicutaneous testing in connection with the prevention of skin flap necrosis and rejection of silicone-covered cochlear implants.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University of Szeged, Tisza Lajos krt. 111, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary. Electronic address: vassgabor@hotmail.com.
Gábor
G
Vass
Attila
A
Torkos
Anita
A
Altmayer
Jenő
J
Czigner
József
J
Jóri
László
L
Rovó
László
L
Iván
D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D003638:Deafness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis / Q000473:pathology; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012828:Silicones / Q000009:adverse effects; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D012828:Silicones
Cochlear implantation; Epicutaneous patch test; Loco-regional skin flaps; Skin flap necrosis; Surgical complication