Small - Incision Technique for Med-El Combi 40+™ Implantation

Objectives: 1) To present a technique for implanting the Med-El Combi 40+™ using a small incision with minimal access. 2) To describe the short term postsurgical outcomes in these patients.   Methods: Two patients (1 child and 1 adult) underwent a novel small incision technique for implantation of the Med-El Combi 40+™ cochlear implant device. The short term outcomes in these two patients were described and compared with previous experience using the standard implantation technique citing advantages and possible limitations. As these two patients had bilateral implantation utilizing different techniques on the two sides interesting comparisons could be made on the same individuals.   Results: The preliminary experience with a novel small incision technique for the Med-El Combi 40+™ implantation shows encouraging results in terms of healing and initial performance of these patients.   Conclusion: This small incision technique may be offered to patients especially to those who wish to have bilateral implantations as this allows a less invasive approach, good cosmesis without sacrificing the safety and performance outcomes at least in the short term.   Keywords: cochlear implantation, minimally invasive surgery