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.