Monopolar Cautery Use in Pediatric Cochlear Implant Users.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the incidence and impact of monopolar cautery use in a cohort of pediatric cochlear implant (CI) users.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series from a retrospective chart review and a systematic review of the literature.

SETTING

Tertiary academic referral center.

METHODS

CI patient charts from 2012 to 2021 were reviewed from a single pediatric hospital system to determine if monopolar cautery was used during a subsequent surgical procedure. In addition, a systematic review of the literature was performed to identify additional, relevant patients. Postoperative CI function was the primary outcome measure.

RESULTS

In total, 190 patients underwent a surgical procedure following cochlear implantation in a single pediatric hospital system. Fifteen patients (7.9%) and 17 distinct surgical procedures were identified in which monopolar cautery was used. Seven of these 17 cases (41.2%) involved the head and neck, and 10 were performed below the clavicles. No patients experienced a device failure or a decline in CI performance following surgery. A systematic review identified an additional 4 patients who underwent a surgery that used monopolar cautery following cochlear implantation, and no change in CI function was identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study adds additional support to the notion that monopolar cautery does not necessarily injure CI functionality. While the most risk adverse strategy when planning a surgical procedure for a CI patient is to avoid monopolar cautery use altogether, the use of cautery should not immediately be associated with implant dysfunction.