Subtotal Petrosectomy and Cochlear Implantation in Children With Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media: A Single Institutional Experience

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) with or without cholesteatoma is a frequent chronic inflammatory condition in children, which may lead to severe hearing loss that affects speech development. Treatment of recurrent CSOM associated with unserviceable hearing requires a specialized approach with regard to disease eradication and hearing rehabilitation. In this study, we investigated the advantages of subtotal petrosectomy (SP) combined with cochlear implantation (CI) in children with CSOM associated with unserviceable hearing and describe our experience with regard to the efficacy of this method, together with a literature review. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: SP with sequential or simultaneous CI was performed in three children (four ears), and postoperative audiometric data were recorded. RESULTS: The study included two male and one female patient. Mean age at the time of SP was 10.75 years (7–13 years). Sequential implantation was performed in three ears. Facial nerve palsy occurred after SP in one patient. The latest word recognition scores of Cases 1, 2, and 3 were 80% (at 60 dB), 75% (at 60 dB), and 70% (at 50 dB) and 90% (at 50 dB), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SP with CI may be safe and reliable in children with CSOM associated with unserviceable hearing.