Otolaryngology: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Objective: Compare the insertion depth and scalar location of cochlear implant (CI) electrode implanted through round window membrane (RWM) versus cochleostomy approach using multislice computed tomography (CT). Materials & Methods: The study was conducted on twenty fresh human temporal bones. Ten were implanted through RWM approach and the other ten through cochleostomy using standard dummy CI electrode (MED-EL, Innsbruck, Austria). The CI electrodes were advanced till the point of first resistance then assessed using multislice CT. Results: The study showed no significant differences in insertion depths whether angular or linear in the two study groups. However the RWM approach was associated with statistically significant higher incidence of scala tympani (ST) placement compared to scala vestibuli (SV) placement. Also ST placements were associated with statistically significant lower insertion depth compared to SV placement. Conclusion: The present study suggests that, for hearing preservation cochlear implantation, advancing the CI electrode through the RWM till the point of first resistance is the recommended first choice whenever the anatomical orientation of the RWM allows.

Biography

Ahmed Mehanna is Lecturer of ENT at Alexandria University in Egypt. He has received his MBBCH degree in September 1999 and Master degree of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery in 2004. He has received his Doctorate degree of Otolaryngology in 2009 from Alexandria University. He has served as House officer (Intern) at Alexandria University Hospital (2000-2001). He has worked as a Clinical and Research ENT Fellow in The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Westmead Children Hospital and Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre. He has also worked in The Matter Hospital with Prof. Gibson in his private operative work. He has attended several international conferences and has 4 publications. His research interests include otology and cochlear implant surgery, pediatric otolaryngology and airway management.

Email: mehanna81@hotmail.com