Robotic cochlear implantation in post-meningitis ossified cochlea.

AIM: To report the experience of an image-guided and navigation-based robot arm as an assistive surgical tool for cochlear implantation in a case with a labyrinthitis ossificans.

PATIENT: A 55-years-old man with a history of childhood meningitis whose hearing deteriorated progressively to bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss.

INTERVENTION: Robotic Assisted Cochlear Implant Surgery (RACIS) with a straight flexible lateral wall electrode.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Electrode cochlear insertion depth with RACIS with facial recess approach and autonomous inner ear access with full electrode insertion of a flexible straight cochlear implant array.

CONCLUSIONS

Intra cochlear ossifications pose a challenge for entering the cochlea and full-length insertion of a cochlear implant. RACIS has shown that computations of radiological images combined with navigation-assisted robot arm drilling can provide efficient access to the inner ear.