Clinical Outcome of a Wide-diameter Bone-anchored Hearing Implant and a Surgical Technique With Tissue Preservation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical outcome of a surgical technique with tissue preservation for a wide bone-anchored hearing implant concerning postoperative complications, skin reactions, implant loss, and implant stability.

STUDY DESIGN: Consecutive, prospective case series.

SETTING: Tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS: Twenty-four adult patients with normal skin quality were enrolled.

INTERVENTION(S): Implantation of bone-anchored implant was performed using a one-stage linear-incision technique with tissue preservation surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES(S): Skin and soft tissue reactions according to Holgers grading system. Pain and numbness measured according to visual analogue scale. Implant stability quotient values were recorded using resonance frequency analysis. Follow-up at 10 days, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery.

RESULTS: Primary implant stability was good and a significant increase in implant stability quotient occurred during the first 10 days and continued to be stable throughout the 1-year observation period. No implants were lost. Skin and soft tissue reactions were few, no reaction (Holger grade 0) was observed in 88% of the follow-up examinations and no grade 4 reactions occurred. Pain and numbness were minimal.

CONCLUSION: The wide implant showed good stability initially and throughout the observation period. Skin and soft tissue reactions were rare and minor. No implants were lost.