Initial experience of a rapid-insertion bone-anchored hearing system: series of 20 consecutive implants.
OBJECTIVE
The loading of bone-anchored hearing system sound processors usually occurs two to three months after surgical implant. This study examined a new bone-anchored hearing system coupling mechanism that permits loading at two weeks post-implantation without compromising osseointegration.


METHODS
Twenty implants were implanted into 15 patients. The interval between operation and time of processor loading was recorded, along with the cause of any delay and any late complications.


RESULTS
Two patients were fitted with implants at seven and nine weeks. The delay was a result of administrative errors; the patients reported no skin problems. Of the remaining 17 implants, 8 processors were fitted at 2 weeks, 1 at 3 weeks, 4 at 4 weeks, 3 at 7 weeks and 1 at 8 weeks. For those nine implants fitted later than two weeks, the delay was because of incomplete skin healing.


CONCLUSIONS
The Oticon Medical Xpress system allowed processor loading at two weeks post-operatively, providing skin healing was adequate. Early loading occurred in approximately half of the patients. All patients were fitted within the two to three months traditionally allowed. Prolonged skin healing time was the main reason for the delayed fitting of sound processors.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
S J
SJ
Muzaffar
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
C J
CJ
Coulson
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
S
S
Burrell
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
A P
AP
Reid
D006801:Humans; D006310:Hearing Aids; D008875:Middle Aged; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D000328:Adult; D013997:Time Factors; D000077280:Bone-Anchored Prosthesis; D000368:Aged; D016348:Osseointegration; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D053441:Suture Anchors; D055815:Young Adult; D011474:Prosthesis Design
Hearing Aid; Hearing Loss; Osseointegration; Surgical Procedures, Operative