Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the occurrence and type of perioperative and postoperative complications in patients implanted with an osseointegrated hearing device (OHD) (also known as BAHA/BAHS) and compare results in children, adults, and elderly and for different surgical techniques.
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case file review.
SETTING: Tertiary referral center.
PATIENTS: Patients implanted with an OHD between 2004 and 2012, with more than 6 months of follow-up.
INTERVENTION: OHD implantation.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Implant loss, adverse skin reactions (Holgers' score, ≥2), skin overgrowth, and discomfort resulting in abutment and/or implant removal.
RESULTS: One hundred eighty-five implantations in 176 patients were reviewed. Overall, 3.8% of the implants were lost spontaneously after a mean of 2.5 years. Implant loss in children was 18% versus 2.5% in adults and 3.8% in elderly. Adverse skin reactions occurred in 14% of observations overall; in 10% in children compared with 16% in adults and 9% in elderly. Partial or total skin overgrowth was seen in 4% and 6% of the observations in children and adults, respectively, whereas none of the elderly experienced this problem. The abutment was removed because of discomfort and/or no benefit in 10% overall, in 13% of adults, and in 6% of the elderly; none of the children opted for removal. Linear incision technique showed fewest complications.
CONCLUSION: OHD implantation is a procedure with few major complications. Adverse skin reaction is the most common complication. Children lose the implant more frequently than adults. Elderly patients have less adverse skin reactions/skin overgrowth. Discomfort leading to abutment removal is a concern especially among adults.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Otology & Neurotology |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| Pages (from-to) | e301–e306 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| ISSN | 1531-7129 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 10 Dec 2014 |