Abstract
Objective: 1) Analyze the postoperative complications associated with cochlear implantation (CI) surgery in older adults. 2) Understand how the safety profile of CI in older adults compares with that in children and younger adults.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all individuals aged 60 years or older who underwent a first CI from 1999-2011 at Johns Hopkins to abstract data on postoperative follow-up and complications. Statistical analyses comparing observed complication frequencies were performed using goodness-of-fit Fisher exact tests.
Results: From 1999-2011, 445 individuals 60 years or older received a first cochlear implant at Johns Hopkins. The mean age at implantation was 72.7 years (range 60-94.9 years) and the median duration of follow-up was 4.8 years (range 0.1-12.5 years). There were a total of 42 minor complications in 41 patients (9.2%) and 36 major complications in 21 patients (4.7%). There were no cases of meningitis or postoperative facial paralysis. Seventeen patients (3.8%) required surgical device removal. Complication rates did not differ between individuals 60-75 years and those 75 years or older except for balance problems which were slightly more prevalent in the older cohort (9.5% vs 4.9%, P = .05).
Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that CI in older adults has a safety profile comparable to CI in younger adults and children. We suggest that concerns for increased postoperative complications in patients of advanced age should not be considered when determining CI candidacy.
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