A minimally invasive approach for cochlear implantation using a microendoscope.

Given the growing need for minimally invasive approaches to cochlear implantation surgery, we chose to examine the safety of a microendoscopic procedure for cochlear implantation. We performed cochlear implantation surgery on four human temporal bones using a microendoscope and evaluated the safety of the procedure. With a microendoscope, the facial recess was opened and electrodes were inserted into the cochlea. The size of the mastoidectomy ranged from 5 × 4 to 7 × 7 mm. For three of the temporal bones, the surgery was conducted without any damage to the surrounding structures. The chorda tympanic nerve was inadvertently sacrificed in one temporal bone, in which we skipped the identification of the incus. The microendoscope allowed cochlear implantation surgery to be performed with a mastoidectomy of minimal size.