title: Results of Baha® implantation using a small horizontal incision.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Techniques for Baha® implantation continue to evolve. The Weber technique, utilizing a 1.5 cm horizontal incision for Baha® implantation is evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of patients undergoing Baha® implantation by a single surgeon over three years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  33 Baha®s implanted in 30 patients. Fourteen used an Inverted J (IJ) incision with an anteriorly-based skin-flap, 13 with the Weber technique (W). Five were not included as other techniques were used. Demographics and weeks to activation (14.58 vs 13.4, p = 0.12) were similar. There were no differences in the number of patients with minor complications (5 vs 2, p = 0.22) or number of minor complications (20 vs 4, p = 0.09). One patient in the IJ Group required operative revision for overgrowth. There were no infections in the IJ Group, and one requiring oral antibiotics in the W Group. Follow-up was longer in the IJ Group (41 vs 13 weeks, p = 0.016), no complications occurred after 14 weeks post-op. Mean operative times were similar (43 vs 39 min, p = 0.59). There were no cases of skin flap necrosis in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A small incision for Baha® implantation proved as effective, without increased complications as a skin-flap based technique.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Electronic address: jason.brant@uphs.upenn.edu.
authors: Jason A
authors: JA
authors: Brant
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Gudis
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Ruckenstein
mesh_terms: D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D005260:Female; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000601:surgery; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000601:surgery*