Landmarks for Proper Round Window Electrode Insertion in Cochlear Implantation

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the role of landmarks for proper round window electrode insertion in cochlear implantation surgery. METHODS: This is a case series study. We included 150 patients undergoing cochlear implantation in a tertiary medical center during the period from January to December 2019. Patients with inner ear malformations or ossification or revision surgery were excluded. Three surgeons participated in the study. During surgery, the round window electrode insertion was marked using 5 surgical landmarks: oval window, pyramid, fustis, round window membrane, and arborization of intracochlear blood vessels. Each surgeon reported on the identification of each landmark and its reliability for round window electrode insertion. RESULTS: Oval window and round window membrane were clearly seen by the 3 surgeons in all cases. Pyramid was seen in 94% of cases, fustis in 85%, and intracochlear wall in 90% of cases. The postoperative transorbital x-ray confirmed the intracochlear position of electrodes in all cases. CONCLUSION: Round window electrode insertion can be precisely performed using these 5 surgical landmarks in straight forwards cases as well as in difficult cases. These landmarks can also assist in teaching young surgeons, in a step-wise manner, how to properly do round window electrode insertion in cochlear implantation surgery.