Ambulatory pediatric cochlear implantation: safety, efficacy, and feasibility - first multicentric Moroccan study on 681 children.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim is to evaluate the safety, efficacy and feasibility of outpatient cochlear implantation in children. STUDY

DESIGN

Multicentric retrospective study analyzing 681 children who underwent cochlear implantation from October 2016 to May 2024.

SETTING

Ear, Nose, and Throat departments of Mohamed VI Foundation of Sciences and Health, Morocco.

METHODS

In this report, we examined the protocol used, anesthetic and surgical techniques, postoperative data and success rate of ambulatory cochlear implant surgery. Data collection included demographic information, surgical and postoperative results.

RESULTS

A total of 721 cochlear implants were performed between October 2016 and May 2024, including 681 in children and 40 in adults. Of these children, 674 were included, of whom 661 (98%) benefited from outpatient surgery and 13 (2%) required overnight hospitalization. Conversion to overnight hospitalization was required for 8 patients who suffered post-operative vomiting, requiring medical management and intravenous infusion, and for 5 patients who suffered post-operative dizziness, requiring in-hospital monitoring. The median age of our patients was 3.7 ± 2.4, with a predominance of males (sex ratio = 1.46) and patients coming from all regions of Morocco. Severe to profound bilateral hearing loss was noted, and in the majority of cases, imaging was normal. Surgeries were performed without major complications, but short-term complications did occur, such as vomiting in 8 patients and vertigo in 5. The satisfaction rate was 100%, the success rate 98% and the failure rate 2%, with no readmissions.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate the efficacy and safety of outpatient cochlear implant protocol for pediatric population in our setting.