Complications of Cochlear Implant Surgery: A Public Implant Centre Experience

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of complications of cochlear implant surgery in children with congenital profound sensorineural hearing loss. METHODS: This study retrospectively & consecutively reviewed charts of children who underwent cochlear implantation from July 2015 to July 2019 at Cochlear Implant Centre of Otolaryngology Department of Capital Hospital, Islamabad Pakistan. These included cases of both genders aged one to 12 years operated at least one year before the time of data collection. Basic demographic data, complications including major and minor complications and treatment received was noted and statistically analyzed using SPSS-23. Results were presented using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Current study included a sample of N=251 having a mean age of 4.05±2.15 years including 154(61.4%) males and 97(38.6%) females revealed a prevalence of complications of 16(6.4%) with 4(1.6%) major and 12(4.8%) minor complications. Wound infection and acute otitis media with frequency of 3(1.2%) each were the commonest complications, followed by , facial nerve twitching, tinnitus and vertigo, infection and extrusion; and device failure in 2(0.8%) each. However, there was no significant association of complications with age group and gender with P=0.344 and P=0.519 respectively. CONCLUSION: Present public sector implant program is characterized with a very low prevalence of complications of 16(6.4%) with 4(1.6%) major and 12(4.8%) minor complications. Wound infection and acute otitis media were the commonest complications.