A Repot of Surgical Complications in a Series of 262 Consecutive Pediatric Cochlear Implantations in Iran

OBJECTIVE: Cochlear implantations have become a routinely performed and successful surgical intervention in both adults and children. The current article reports the complications encountered in various age groups of consecutive children who underwent implantation in our center. METHODS: We performed a prospective analysis of all profoundly deaf children who underwent cochlear implantation from March 2006 to July 2009 at Baqhiyatallah Cochlear Implantation Center. All patients were younger than 5 years old at the time of implantation. FINDINGS: The minor complications occurred in 49 (18.7%) cases, The most common postoperative complications were temporary facial weakness detected in 15 cases (5.7%) all of which were reversible. Magnet wound was observed in 14 (5.3%) patients, keloid formation in 10 (3.8%), wound infection in 2 (0.8%), otitis media in 5 (2%), and electrode movement, meningitis, vertigo, Laryngospasm each in 1 (0.4%) case was detected among our patients. CONCLUSION: Cochlear implantation in children continues to be reliable and safe in experienced hands, with a low percentage of severe complications as long as the patient is monitored closely.