Outcome of Cochlear Implantation in Deaf Children with Co-Existing Otitis Media with Effusion: A comparative study

Objective: Cochlear implantation (CI) is the definitive treatment for profound hearing loss in children and adults. Operating on an infected ear is considered a challenge; the institution of cochlear implant the presence of otitis media with effusion (OME) prior to CI surgery has created a debate among neuro-otologists: treat the OME first or go ahead with surgical intervention. This study was conducted to determine whether cochlear implantation in patients with OME at the time of surgery has any influence on the procedure, post-operative complications and surgical outcome. Methods: Retrospective descriptive analysis of data collected from records of patients who underwent CI in a tertiary care hospital from 2000-2018 was done. The age targeted was 6 months to 14 years old, excluding all adults, and those who had their operations outside the chosen institution. Results: Out of 369 children, 175 had OME preceding surgery compared to 194 who did not have OME. Intra-operative oedematous hypertrophied middle ear mucosa was observed only in OME patients (n=18, P