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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2018; 22(04): 368-373
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1613685
Original Research
Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A Comparison of the Operative Techniques and the Postoperative Complications for Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid Implantation

Mark W. Steehler
1   Department of Otolaryngology, LECOM Health System, Millcreek Community Hospital, Erie, PA, United States
2   ENT Specialists of Northwestern PA, Erie, PA, United States
,
Sean P. Larner
1   Department of Otolaryngology, LECOM Health System, Millcreek Community Hospital, Erie, PA, United States
2   ENT Specialists of Northwestern PA, Erie, PA, United States
3   University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hamot, Erie, PA, United States
,
Joshua S. Mintz
4   The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
,
Matthew K. Steehler
5   Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates of Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, United States
,
Sidney P. Lipman
2   ENT Specialists of Northwestern PA, Erie, PA, United States
3   University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hamot, Erie, PA, United States
,
Shane Griffith
1   Department of Otolaryngology, LECOM Health System, Millcreek Community Hospital, Erie, PA, United States
2   ENT Specialists of Northwestern PA, Erie, PA, United States
3   University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hamot, Erie, PA, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

08 August 2017

05 November 2017

Publication Date:
18 January 2018 (online)

Also available ateRefMedOne
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Abstract

Introduction Bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA) represent a useful surgical option for patients with single sided deafness.

Objectives To compare multiple techniques for BAHA implantation regarding postoperative complications, operative time, and duration between the surgery and the first use of the BAHA.

Methods A retrospective study was conducted of all patients receiving implantation of a BAHA from August of 2008 to October of 2014. Data collected included: patient age, gender, side operated, abutment length, operative time, duration until first use of the BAHA, operative technique, and postoperative complications. The statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey pairwise comparison, chi-square, and paired t-test. Statistical significance was determined using a level of p < 0.05.

Results A total of 88 patients (43 female and 45 male) were included in the data analysis. A total of 80 complications were documented, and these complications were classified according to the Holgers criteria. A significant difference in the total postoperative complications existed between the six techniques used (ANOVA; p < 0.01). In addition, there was also a significant difference among the six techniques employed regarding the operative time (ANOVA; p < 0.01). The average time duration until fitting of the BAHA processor among the various techniques trended toward but did not reach statistical significance (ANOVA; p = 0.16).

Conclusions Significant differences in the operative outcomes exist among the various techniques for BAHA implantation. Based on the statistical analysis of our data, the BAHA Attract system (Cochlear Ltd., Sidney, Australia) requires greater operative time, but it is associated with less postoperative complications than percutaneous techniques and its processor may be fitted significantly sooner.

Keywords

hearing aids - deafness - otologic surgical procedures

Paper Presentation

Accepted for poster presentation at the 2016 Combined Sections Meeting, January 22–24, 2016, Miami Beach, FL.