Mediterr J Otol 2005:1(3):105-109.
OBJECTIVE: One of the goals of cochlear implant surgery is to improve the cosmetic and psychological trauma of such a procedure, as well as to reduce wound complications. Authors minimized the common "C-Shaped", or similar incisions , where the mastoid and a wide surface of the retro-mastoid skull are exposed, to reduce wound complications and improve the cosmetic and psychological trauma of such a procedure.
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study and comparison of 2 surgical techniques.
METHOD: The standard “C-shaped” incision was replaced by a classical retro-auricular middle ear surgery incision. Postoperative major complications (flap necrosis, wound dehiscence, and wound infection with revision surgery) and minor complications (hematoma, seroma, and superficial infection) were evaluated.
RESULTS: The study included 52 patients with a classic “C-shaped “ incision, and 52 patients with a classical retroauricular incision, ranging in age from 11 months to 83 years. Each patient was implanted with the Nucleus device (Cochlear, Ltd., New South Wales, Australia) by the same surgeon between January 1997 and August 2003.
Among the 52 classical retroauricular incisions, there were no major complications and 10 minor complications. The 52 classic “C-shaped” incisions resulted in 3 major and 7 minor complications. There is a significant risk of major complications with C-shaped incisions.
CONCLUSION: Providing easy exposure and a good fixation of the implant, this classic retroauricular approach shows fewer major wound complications for the patient, their family, and their environment than the larger conventional approaches, such as the common “C-shaped” incision.