title: [Overview of Alternative Methods of Cochleostomy with Focus on Laser Ablative Techniques].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bone removal during mastoidectomy and cochleostomy or round window enlargement prior to electrode insertion is typically performed with a drill. The present work is a review of alternate methods of mastoidectomy and cochleostomy/round window enlargement that may reduce the risk of acoustic inner ear trauma associated with use of surgical drills during cochlear implant surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  MEDLINE database search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar search engines. Inclusion criteria for this study was the use of a laser to ablate the bone respectively the opening of Cochlear in terms of Cochleostomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the experimental studies, a total number of 4 papers were found, which deal with the application of the widely used CO2 laser. A comparison of the works could only partially under the above criteria, since no single study protocol was used and not always the sound pressure levels were determined occurring or evidence of damage to the inner ear missing. But for all that, a comparison of the work has been attempted because it is the authors' opinion about a promising approach to the atraumatic opening of the inner ear.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are promising approaches, using a laser to realize the erosion of bone and perform the opening of the inner ear. Nevertheless, there is a significant need for further investigations and in particular, the acoustic injury is not well enough understood here.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elsholz
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals-, Nasen-, Ohrenheilkunde Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Campus Virchow-Klinikum.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Böttcher
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Knecht
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf.
authors.forename: C V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Dalchow
mesh_terms: D003051:Cochlea / Q000601:surgery*; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery; D010030:Ostomy / Q000379:methods*; D012405:Round Window, Ear / Q000601:surgery