title: Effect of otitis media with effusion on cochlear implant surgery: technical difficulties, post-operative complications and outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the complications and outcomes of cochlear implantation in patients who had otitis media with effusion at the time of surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review study was performed of 87 consecutive paediatric patients (age range 22 months to 10 years, mean 4.8 years) who underwent successful cochlear implantation, with follow-up periods of 5-6 years. All patients had unilateral implants, with eight on the left side. All devices were activated two weeks after implantation. The effect of the middle-ear condition on the procedure, post-operative complications and outcome were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Unilateral ears of 17 otitis media with effusion patients were implanted with some surgical difficulties but no long-term post-operative complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For children admitted for cochlear implantation who are subsequently found to have otitis media with effusion, surgeons should be aware of possible surgical difficulties. Greater intra-operative risks should be anticipated and more surgical time allowed for cochlear implantation in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology,Department of Special Surgery,Faculty of Medicine,Jordan University of Science and Technology,Irbid,Jordan.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alzoubi
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology,Department of Special Surgery,Faculty of Medicine,Jordan University of Science and Technology,Irbid,Jordan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Odat
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology,Department of Special Surgery,Faculty of Medicine,Jordan University of Science and Technology,Irbid,Jordan.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nuseir
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology,Department of Special Surgery,Faculty of Medicine,Jordan University of Science and Technology,Irbid,Jordan.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al Omari
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology,King Abdullah Medical City,Mecca,Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Al-Zuraiqi
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D061646:Operative Time; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Cochlear Implants; Otitis Media with Effusion; Post-operative Complications