title: A new cochlear implant electrode with a "cork"-type stopper for inner ear malformations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gusher in inner ear malformations is common in patients with incomplete partition type I and type III. It is also common in less severe form as oozing in incomplete partition type II and large vestibular aqueduct. It is important to prevent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) escape around the electrode to prevent meningitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The custom-made device was produced by Med-El Company. It has a "cork"-like stopper instead of the usual silicon ring to prevent gusher. There are two types of electrodes of different lengths. The standard one is 25mm (contact space 1.7mm) and the short one is 20mm (contact space 1.3mm). It was used in 50 patients with different inner ear malformations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen patients had gusher, and 11 patients oozing during cochleostomy. One patient with initial prototype of the cork electrode had to be revised because of persistent oozing around the electrode. Another patient had slow extrusion of the electrode most probably due to CSF pulsation and had to be revised. Both patients had no more CSF fistula.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CSF fistula in inner ear malformations is a serious situation which may lead to recurrent meningitis. The new electrode with "cork" stopper looks promising in preventing the postoperative CSF leak around the electrode.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey.
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sennaroğlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gamze
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Atay
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey. Electronic address: dbajin@hacettepe.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Münir Demir
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Bajin
mesh_terms: D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000002:abnormalities*; D004566:Electrodes; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Cochlear implantation; Gusher; Inner ear anomaly