Abstract
Background: Cochlear implantation (CI) has become
an effective measure for the treatment of many
cases with profound deafness. Although it is viewed
as a safe technique, minor and sometimes major
complication are still taking place after the procedure.
The frequency of these complications varies between
operating centers. No previous documentation of the
frequency of these complications was carried out in
Saudi Arabia.
Objectives: This study aimed at describing the
pattern of complications following CI in one of the
main hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Methods: Through a retrospective study design,
all medical records of cases who received CI in the
period between January 2009 to January 2014 were
obtained from the Health Information Department in
King Fahd Hospital (n=142); a constructed checklist
was used to systematically collect information
regarding available demographic characteristics and
complications after cochlear implantation.Data were
coded and analyzed using Statistical Package for
Social Science version 16.0 (SPSS program).
Results: The overwhelming majority of patients
were children;128(90%). The overall number of
complications following cochlear implantation
accounted for 18 cases who represented (12.7%) of
all cases. Most of the complications occurred among
children making an age adjusted rate of (11.4%).
Overall complications were 4(2.8%) spontaneous
device failure, 3(2.1%) device failure due to trauma,
2(1.4%) wound infection, 2(1.4%) wound dehiscence,
1(0.7%) hematoma, 1(0.7%) facial twitches, 1(0.7%)
post-operative vertigo and 1(0.7%) otitis media.
Conclusion: Cochlear implantation is a safe technique with a relatively low complication rate; the reported rates of
complications among our patients are approximately similar to what has been recorded in other health institutions
worldwide.