1. Incision and Mastoid Exposure

2. Mastoidectomy

3. Opening the Facial Recess

a. Landmarks

b. Reviewing Anatomy

4. Round Window Preparation

a. Create Subperiosteal Pocket

b. Drill Electrode Channel

5. Drill Seat for Cochlear Implant

6. Securing the Implant

a. Round Window Membrane Incision

b. Electrode Insertion

c. Fascia Graft

7. Electrode Placement

8. Closure

For patients who present with bilateral severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss who have little-to-no benefit from conventional hearing aids, cochlear implants can restore hearing by directly stimulating the cochlear nerve. A standard mastoidectomy and facial recess approach is performed to visualize the round window niche and membrane. The round window membrane is opened, and the cochlear implant electrode is carefully inserted into the scala tympani. After several weeks, the patient returns for implant activation with a dedicated team of audiologists.

Watch this full-length, narrated surgical video of a cochlear implant performed by Dr. Calhoun Cunningham at Duke University Medical Center.

DOI
Publication Date	2023/10/25
Article ID	178
Production ID	0178
Volume	2023
Issue	178
https://doi.org/10.24296/jomi/178

Cochlear Implant

Procedure Outline

Table of Contents