Tailed Palva flap in the subperiosteal pocket technique for cochlear implantation.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the subperiosteal pocket technique has become popular for minimal access cochlear implantation. Many incision techniques have been described in cochlear implantation.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to demonstrate the safety and reliability of a new periosteal incision, called tailed Palva incision, in cochlear implantation.

METHODS

A total of 280 patients who underwent cochlear implantation with the subperiosteal pocket technique between June 2008 and January 2013 were included in the study.

RESULTS

The patients were followed up for between 11 and 74 months (mean ± standard deviation = 34 ± 19 months). No intracranial complications were seen during or after the operations. Additionally, there was no migration of the receiver-stimulator. Revision surgery was performed in eight patients (3 per cent), one of whom (0.4 per cent) had local flap failure and infection.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that the tailed Palva incision facilitates easy insertion of the implant and, by creating a one-way obscured pocket, this technique also enhances stabilisation of the receiver-stimulator, thereby avoiding anterior migration.