Surgery Photos

Preoperative Instructions

• Once the surgery date is scheduled, the patient will have a pre-operative appointment for an examination by Dr. Peters in our office the day before surgery followed by pre-admission at the surgery center, which includes a brief tour of the surgery center, lab work, paperwork, and further instructions for surgery arrival time the following day.
• It is advised that no aspirin, aspirin products, Motrin, or Ibuprofen be taken two weeks prior to the surgery. 
• Any signs of illness or temperature that may occur prior to surgery must be reported to our office immediately.
• If given prescriptions, have them filled prior to surgery.
• Take NOTHING by mouth after midnight the night before surgery unless given specific instructions otherwise. This includes foods, liquids, or medications. 

Surgery 

• General anesthesia is administered in the operating room
• A small amount of hair behind the ear is shaved. 
• An incision is made in the crease behind the ear, which makes the scar very inconspicuous once it has healed. 
• A pocket is created under the skin to accommodate the receiver-stimulator portion of the implant. This part of the implant has a very flat design so that it will not produce a noticeable deformity. 
• An opening is then made into the air-filled bone called the mastoid. This mastoidectomy allows us to access the inner ear cochlea without disturbing the ear canal or eardrum. 
• A very small opening is made into the cochlea and the implant electrode is threaded in as far as possible. Most cochlea can accommodate the complete electrode unless meningitis is the cause of deafness, in which case a partial insertion may be necessary. 
• The incision is closed with hidden absorbable stitches that do not require removal. 
• A Velcro bandage is placed on the ear and remains in place for 2 days. 
• Total surgery time is approximately 2 hours. 

After Surgery/Recovery

• Pain will be expected and may be mild to moderate for 1 to 2 days and can be controlled with oral pain medicines. 
• Some patients experience imbalance for a few days after surgery, however, this usually resolves spontaneously within the first week. 
• Patients are to return to the office one (1) week after the surgery for a follow-up visit.
• After the follow-up visit, most patients are able to return to work or school. 
• During the healing process, sports, exercise, and flying should be suspended for approximately 4 weeks
• After the healing period, patients can expect minimal visible evidence of the implant's presence and there will be no activity restrictions.

Activation of the Device

The programming of the external speech processor is a procedure that must be repeated one week later and then periodically thereafter. The reason for this is because the implant system must be programmed to suit each individual's needs. Each patient's tolerance of sound improves with time, therefore, the implant stimulation level can be increased. The implant team is committed to work with the implant recipient as long as it is necessary to ensure optimal benefit from the device.

Reliability and the Future