Cochlear Implant Deep Electrode Insertion: Extent of Insertional Trauma

We have recently undertaken deep insertions of the Combi-40 cochlear implant electrode (Med-El Corp., Innsbruck, Austria) into apical regions of the scala tympani using a cochleostomy approach. In order to examine the extent of the insertional trauma, 12 fresh human temporal bones were implanted wit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta oto-laryngologica 1997, Vol.117 (2), p.274-277
Main Authors: Gstoettner, Wolfgang, Plenk, Hanns, Franz, Peter, Hamzavi, Jafar, Baumgartner, Wolf, Czerny, Christian, Ehrenberger, Klaus
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
auditory
Biological and medical sciences
Cochlea - injuries
Cochlea - pathology
Cochlear Implants
Combi 40
Electrodes, Implanted
electrostimulation
Equipment Design
Head and neck surgery. Maxillofacial surgery. Dental surgery. Orthodontics
hearing nerve
human temporal bones
Humans
In Vitro Techniques
Medical sciences
Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
Surgery of the ear, the auditive nerve and the facial nerve
Surgical Procedures, Operative - methods
Temporal Bone - surgery
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Summary:We have recently undertaken deep insertions of the Combi-40 cochlear implant electrode (Med-El Corp., Innsbruck, Austria) into apical regions of the scala tympani using a cochleostomy approach. In order to examine the extent of the insertional trauma, 12 fresh human temporal bones were implanted with original Combi-40 electrodes. The specimens were histologically processed with the implants in place by employing a sawing and grinding technique. In most cases, only very discrete distortions of the epithelium of the spiral ligament occurred within the middle cochlear turns. Furthermore, a slight displacement of the basilar membrane caused by the electrode was occasionally seen. However, in 2 cases more severe damage such as basilar membrane rupture and electrode displacement was found. Attempts to insert the electrode beyond the point of first resistance resulted in electrode kinking within the basal cochlear turn with subsequent fracture of the osseous spiral lamina. According to our results, deep electrode insertions do not aggravate the insertional trauma provided no force is applied when resistance is felt.
ISSN:0001-6489
1651-2251
DOI:10.3109/00016489709117786