HiRes 90K implantation using a minimally invasive surgical technique

This retrospective study compared safety and device outcomes for the HiRes 90K implant between (1) a minimally invasive (MI) surgical approach and early initial stimulation and (2) conventional surgical procedures and traditional initial programming schedules. Eight adults and 21 children were implanted using the MI approach and were programmed initially within 1 week after surgery. Surgical complications and device stability were compared to 55 adults and 16 children who were implanted using conventional surgery and programmed initially 4–6 weeks after surgery. No clinical differences were noted between patients undergoing MI surgery and patients implanted using more common surgical procedures. Electrode impedances stabilized earlier in the MI patients, and comfort levels for electrical stimulation were comparable between the two groups. Patients and families in the MI group have responded favorably to the shorter healing time, minimal hair shave, and shorter wait until initial programming.