title: Does electrocautery damage cochlear implants?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  1) Evaluate the effects of monopolar cautery on cochlear implant devices. 2) Determine whether voltage fluctuations within the cochlear implant adversely affect the cochlear implant devices
  
  
  METHODS
  Two Med-El cochlear implants modified to record voltage difference from the apical and proximal electrodes were implanted into an unembalmed, fresh cadaver. Cautery was applied to the ipsilateral pectoralis major muscle and ipsilateral temporalis muscle at bipolar, monopolar coagulation, and monopolar cut settings of 50 W. The intensity in each modality setting was increased by increments of 10 W to a maximum of 100 W. Integrity testing was performed before, during, and after each cautery setting. Voltage fluctuations were measured during cautery, and maximal voltage changes for each setting were noted. After explantation, devices were returned to the manufacturer for in-depth failure analysis to evaluate for any damage to the devices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaveric study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Basic science laboratory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No change in impedance or integrity testing occurred at any cautery setting when applied to either to pectoralis major or temporalis. The maximum voltage change was 22 V. Comprehensive device analysis showed no evidence of device damage from the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cochlear implant devices had no evidence of electrical damage by monopolar cautery, even up to levels of 100 W in the temporalis muscle. The maximum voltage change was 22 V, likely resulting from protecting diodes within the implant. Additional study is necessary, but more flexible recommendations regarding electrosurgery in cochlear implant recipients should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Louisiana State University-Health Science Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jeyakumar
authors.forename: Neal M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Victoria B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Givens
authors.forename: Todd M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Brickman
authors.forename: Moisés A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Arriaga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000379:methods; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male