Revision Cochlear Implant Surgery in Adults and Children is a Safe and Effective Technique: a Retrospective Single Faculty Study in Okayama University Hospital, Japan

Background: Cochlear implant (CI) surgery is a safe surgical technique, although some patients require revision CI surgery.

Aims/objectives: This study investigated the cause and underlying reason of revision CI surgery as well as hearing outcomes in a single institution.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study evaluated patients who underwent CI surgery between April 2006 to March 2022 ( = 351). Sex, aetiology of hearing loss (HL), age and period from initial CI surgery to reimplantation, cause of revision, and related factors were examined.

Results: Twelve patients (8 males, 4 females) received CI reimplantation. The revision surgery rate was 2.59% (3.15% children, 1.69% adults); the period from initial surgery to reoperation was 8.60 ± 6.56 years for 9 children with congenital HL and 15.27 ± 5.72 years for 3 adults with progressive HL. Device failure was the most common cause ( = 8), followed by infections ( = 2), advanced facial irritation symptoms ( = 1), and electrode slip-out ( = 1). Mean preoperative and postoperative CI thresholds were 44.0 ± 9.46 dBnHL and 39.19 ± 8.89 dBnHL ( < .068), respectively.

Conclusion And Significance: Caregiver education, surgical technique advances, flap design, and extensive antibiotic use may decrease the revision surgery rate. The lack of post-revision deterioration of the hearing threshold contributed to well-being in patients with CI.