Cochlear Implant Surgical Protocols

General procedures in the hospital for adults and children receiving cochlear implants

  1. Discussions about the surgical procedures are held with the surgeon at a pre-operative consultation. The details of the pre-operative course and post-operative course are explained.
  2. Admission to the hospital is either the afternoon before surgery, or on the day of surgery.
  3. After admission procedures are performed by nursing staff on the ward, there will be a consultation with the Anaesthetist, who will explain the details of the anaesthetic. The procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic (asleep).
  4. For those who are admitted to hospital the day before surgery, it may be possible to return home, or to other accommodation of the pre-operative night, once the Anaesthetist and surgeon have been seen.
  5. Before the surgery, both ears are re-examined to ensure they are free of infection and ready for the implant. This maybe performed by the Otolaryngology Registrar (specialist in training).
  6. The surgery may take several hours to perform. The hair immediately behind the ear is shaved. There will be stitches in this area, and the head is bandaged for the first one or two nights. Antibiotics and mild pain relief are given during and after the surgery.
  7. Some children have the device tested at the end of the surgical procedure, while still asleep. This takes another 60 minutes after the surgery is completed.
  8. Generally it is possible to go home one to two days post-operatively. It is common for the ear to “stick out” a little following the surgery, this eventually settles. There is a little prominence over the implant buried under the skin, but it is unusual to have any other significant swelling in this area. It is normal for children who have grommets to have some blood from the ear hole for a few days.
  9. A follow-up is generally arranged between 10 days and three to four weeks following the surgery, either with the Implant surgeon or with the local Ear Nose and Throat specialist (Otolaryngologist).