Outcomes following Pediatric Auditory Brainstem Implant Surgery: Early Experiences in a North American Center

Authors

Sidharth V. Puram, Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Samuel R. Barber, Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Elliott D. Kozin, Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Parth Shah, Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Aaron Remenschneider, Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Barbara S. Herrmann, Department of Audiology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Ann-Christine Duhaime, Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Department of Surgery (Neurosurgery), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Fred G. Barker, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Department of Surgery (Neurosurgery), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Daniel J. Lee, Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Daniel_lee@meei.harvard.edu.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

There are no approved Food and Drug Administration indications for pediatric auditory brainstem implant (ABI) surgery in the United States. Our prospective case series aims to determine the safety and feasibility of ABI surgery in pediatric patients <5 years old with congenital deafness at a tertiary North American center. The inclusion criterion was pre- or postlinguistic deafness in children not eligible for cochlear implantation. Seventeen candidates were evaluated (mean ± SD: age, 2.52 ± 0.39 years). Four patients underwent ABI surgery (age, 19.2 ± 3.43 months), including 4 primary procedures and 1 revision for device failure. Spontaneous device failure occurred in another subject postoperatively. No major/minor complications occurred, including cerebrospinal fluid leak, facial nerve injury, hematoma, and nonauditory stimulation. All subjects detected sound with environmental awareness, and several demonstrated babbling and mimicry. Poor durability of older implants underscores need for updated technology.

Medical Subject Headings

Auditory Brain Stem Implants; Child, Preschool; Deafness (surgery); Feasibility Studies; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; North Carolina; Patient Safety; Prospective Studies; Prosthesis Failure; Treatment Outcome; United States

Publication Date

7-1-2016

Publication Title

Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

E-ISSN

1097-6817

Volume

155

Issue

1

First Page

133

Last Page

8

PubMed ID

27095049

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1177/0194599816637599

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