Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9035, USA.
Otol Neurotol. 2012 Sep;33(7):1197-200. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e3182659b05.
Exposure of a cochlear implant electrode array in the middle ear or external auditory canal is an uncommon complication. We report a series of 7 patients with electrode array exposure, 5 of whom were managed without surgical intervention.
To report the outcomes of patients with electrode array exposure after cochlear implantation.
Retrospective case series.
Tertiary neurotology practice.
Patients with cochlear implant electrode exposure in the middle ear or external auditory canal.
Length of observation without deterioration of implant function and without complications.
Five patients were managed without revision surgery. One patient presented with a poorly functioning implant, but after reprogramming, the implant returned to its baseline performance. Four other patients required no reprogramming and were managed medically without deterioration of implant function. Follow-up time was between 2 and 6 years. There were no serious complications in any patient related to their cochlear implant.
Careful observation of patients with an exposed electrode array after cochlear implantation and a functioning implant seems to be a reasonable management option in select cases.
耳蜗植入电极阵列在中耳或外耳道内暴露是一种不常见的并发症。我们报告了一系列 7 例电极阵列暴露的患者，其中 5 例患者未接受手术干预。
报告耳蜗植入后电极阵列暴露患者的结果。
回顾性病例系列。
三级神经耳科实践。
中耳或外耳道内耳蜗植入电极暴露的患者。
无植入功能恶化且无并发症的观察时间长度。
5 例患者未进行修复手术。1 例患者的植入物功能不佳，但经过重新编程后，植入物恢复到基线性能。其他 4 例患者无需重新编程，通过药物治疗管理，植入物功能无恶化。随访时间为 2 至 6 年。没有患者因耳蜗植入物而出现严重并发症。
对于耳蜗植入后电极阵列暴露且植入物功能正常的患者，仔细观察并选择观察似乎是一种合理的治疗选择。
