Surgical Outcomes of Modified Technique for Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Hearing Aid Implantation

ObjectiveTo detail a modified surgical technique for implantation of the Osia 2 Bone Conduction Hearing Aid (BCHA) system and to assess intra- and postoperative outcomes of this technique.MethodsA retrospective review was performed for cases undergoing implantation of an Osia 2 BCHA at a tertiary academic medical center. Modifications were made to the surgical procedure including: horizontal or curvilinear incisions, placement of the osseointegrated screw slightly superior to the plane of the external auditory canal, and double layer wound closure. Data regarding outcomes including demographics, incision type, surgical time, drilling requirements, and complications were collected using the electronic medical record.ResultsA total of twenty-eight cases were evaluated with 57.1% and 42.9% utilizing horizontal and curved incisions, respectively. The median age for recipients was 43.1 years with six pediatric cases included in the study. Median operative time was 58 min (43-126 min). The majority of cases required minimal (60.7%) or no drilling (28.6%) with a significant increase in operative time for those requiring moderate drilling versus minimal to no drilling (F = 8.02, p = 0.002). There were no intraoperative complications. One (3.6%) postoperative seroma occurred which resolved with conservative management.ConclusionThe proposed modified surgical technique is a safe and effective method for implantation of the transcutaneous BCHA system with a low complication rate. Keys include incision design, implant placement, and two-layered closure to minimize wound tension. These modifications can improve ease of the procedure and reduce operative time. These techniques also appear to be applicable to the pediatric population.Level of EvidenceIII Laryngoscope, 2023 The Osia 2 device is a type of transcutaneous bone conduction hearing aid. A modification to the recommended surgical technique for the implantation of this device including incision placement, implant location, and double layered closure improves ease of procedure and decreases operative times without an increase in complications. This technique is also safe in children, despite decreased scalp thickness.image