Management of postoperative otitis media and complications in pediatric cochlear implant recipients: a retrospective analysis.

INTRODUCTION

Otitis media (OM) emerges as a prevalent complication following CI surgery, because OM typically has an elevated incidence in younger ages. We retrospectively analyzed pediatric patients who underwent CI surgery in our clinic, focusing on the management of Acute Otitis Media (AOM), Acute Mastoiditis (AM), and Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) in the postoperative period.

METHODS

We assessed 94 CI surgeries performed in 59 pediatric patients between January 2020 and November 2023. We examined the duration of conditions, the affected ears, and the treatment approaches used.

RESULTS

We identified cases of postoperative otitis media or its complications in 18 of 94 CI surgeries. Of these cases, ten were diagnosed with OME, six with AOM, and two with AM. OME cases were managed with oral antibiotics. Of six patients who developed AOM, four received intravenous antibiotics in the hospital, whereas two were treated with oral antibiotics. Two patients developed AM, one patient received only parenteral antibiotic therapy, and the other patient underwent myringotomy in addition to parenteral antibiotic therapy due to ongoing signs of infection.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative OME, AOM, and AM are common complications of cochlear implant surgery. Aggressive antibiotic therapy is warranted in this specific population to prevent complications.