1.Introduction
Cochlear implantation (CI) is considered as a well-defined and safe
surgical procedure allowing hearing rehabilitation of patients with
severe or profound hearing loss1,2 . With the advance
and popularization of newborn hearing screening, bilateral severe or
profound sensorineural hearing loss can be detected earlier. CI surgical
technique has progressed strongly over the past decade, with operations
increasing and postoperative complications decreasing. Postoperative
skin flap infections, a recognized complication of cochlear implant
procedure, may induce significant morbidity2,3.
Generally, CI postoperative infections have been classified into the
minor or major complications and also can be divided into early or
delayed infections according to duration4,5. Skin flap
infection (SFI) remains one of the most challenging and devastating
modes of failure following cochlear implants, which is difficult for the
otologists to predict and may ultimately lead to device removal, despite
rigorous medical and surgical endeavors to eradicate the infections.
To date, however, few studies have compared the efficiency between
conservative and surgical treatments. The current study focused on the
bacterial biofilm formation-related infections of cochlear implantation.
It aimed to investigate frequency and efficacy management of
postoperative infections and to identify the potential causes of the
refractory SFI.