title: HiFocus Helix™ electrode insertion: surgical approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cochlear implants have been used for almost 30 years as a device for the rehabilitation of individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss. One of the important aspects of cochlear implantation is the type of electrode selected and proper insertion of the electrode array in scala tympani to minimize cochlear damage. The HiFocus Helix™ electrode is a precurved design aimed at placing the electrode contacts close to the spiral ganglion cells in the modiolus. The prescribed insertion techniques are intended to minimize the likelihood of damage to the basilar membrane or lateral wall of the cochlea.
  
  
  METHODS
  To describe the first insertion of a HiFocus Helix™ electrode in Brazil exposing surgical particularities and device details in a patient with profound hearing loss, due to Mondini's dysplasia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No problems were encountered during the surgical procedure. The patient experienced improvement in hearing thresholds and speech perception. The HiFocus Helix™ electrode proved easy to insert and provided expected hearing benefits for the patient. This manuscript indicates that the HiResolution™ Bionic Ear System with HiFocus Helix™ electrode comprise a cochlear implant system that is practical and beneficial for the treatment of severe-to-profound hearing loss.
authors.affiliation: Otology, Audiology and Implantable Ear Prostheses, Ear, Nose, Throat and Head and Neck Surgery Department, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, PO BOX 6111, São Paulo, 13081-970, Brazil. arthurcastilho@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Arthur Menino
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Castilho
authors.affiliation: Otology, Audiology and Implantable Ear Prostheses, Ear, Nose, Throat and Head and Neck Surgery Department, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, PO BOX 6111, São Paulo, 13081-970, Brazil. h_pauna@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Henrique Furlan
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Pauna
authors.affiliation: Otology, Audiology and Implantable Ear Prostheses, Ear, Nose, Throat and Head and Neck Surgery Department, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, PO BOX 6111, São Paulo, 13081-970, Brazil. fernandolaffitte@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Fernando Laffitte
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Otology, Audiology and Implantable Ear Prostheses, Ear, Nose, Throat and Head and Neck Surgery Department, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, PO BOX 6111, São Paulo, 13081-970, Brazil. bonhin@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Rodrigo Gonzales
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Bonhin
authors.affiliation: Otology, Audiology and Implantable Ear Prostheses, Ear, Nose, Throat and Head and Neck Surgery Department, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, PO BOX 6111, São Paulo, 13081-970, Brazil. alecgxl2@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Alexandre Caixeta
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.affiliation: Otology, Audiology and Implantable Ear Prostheses, Ear, Nose, Throat and Head and Neck Surgery Department, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, PO BOX 6111, São Paulo, 13081-970, Brazil. tatiana@advancedbionics.com.
authors.forename: Tatiana Mendes
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: de Melo
authors.affiliation: Otology, Audiology and Implantable Ear Prostheses, Ear, Nose, Throat and Head and Neck Surgery Department, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, PO BOX 6111, São Paulo, 13081-970, Brazil. margareth.cheng@advancedbionics.com.
authors.forename: Margareth
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Otology, Audiology and Implantable Ear Prostheses, Ear, Nose, Throat and Head and Neck Surgery Department, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, PO BOX 6111, São Paulo, 13081-970, Brazil. edi.sartorato@unicamp.br.
authors.forename: Edi Lucia
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Sartorato
authors.affiliation: Otology, Audiology and Implantable Ear Prostheses, Ear, Nose, Throat and Head and Neck Surgery Department, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, PO BOX 6111, São Paulo, 13081-970, Brazil. guimachadocarvalho@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Guilherme Machado
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: de Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Otology, Audiology and Implantable Ear Prostheses, Ear, Nose, Throat and Head and Neck Surgery Department, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, PO BOX 6111, São Paulo, 13081-970, Brazil. jrpaschoal@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Jorge Rizzato
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Paschoal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001489:Basilar Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D003051:Cochlea / Q000601:surgery; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D004566:Electrodes; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012533:Scala Tympani / Q000601:surgery; D013067:Speech Perception; D013136:Spiral Ganglion; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed