Yenepoya Hospital Achieves Milestone with Advanced Bilateral Cochlear Implant Surgery
In a significant advancement for hearing restoration, the Department of ENT, Head and Neck, Cochlear Implant and Skull-Base Surgery at Yenepoya Medical College Hospital in Mangaluru has successfully conducted a simultaneous bilateral cochlear implant surgery. This groundbreaking procedure utilized the innovative SmartNav intraoperative technology, marking a notable step forward in medical care for severe hearing impairments.
Procedure Details and Patient Background
The surgery was performed on a three-year-old child diagnosed with bilateral congenital severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss. Prior to the implantation, the child showed minimal benefit from conventional amplification devices, necessitating a more advanced intervention. A comprehensive pre-implantation evaluation was conducted, including:
- Audiological assessments to measure hearing levels and auditory function.
- Radiological imaging to examine the inner ear structures and ensure surgical feasibility.
- Speech-language evaluations to assess communication abilities and plan for post-operative rehabilitation.
Based on these assessments, the medical team determined that the child was an ideal candidate for bilateral cochlear implantation, which involves placing electronic devices in both ears to directly stimulate the auditory nerve.
Innovative Technology and Surgical Precision
The surgery was carried out under general anesthesia, employing the SmartNav (Smart Navigation) technology. This advanced system provides real-time intraoperative feedback, enhancing surgical accuracy through:
- Real-time assessment of electrode placement, ensuring optimal positioning within the cochlea.
- Neural response telemetry, which monitors auditory nerve responses to confirm device functionality during the procedure.
These features contribute to improved surgical precision and are associated with better long-term auditory outcomes for patients. The simultaneous bilateral implantation was completed in a single session without any intraoperative or immediate postoperative complications, facilitating early binaural auditory stimulation. This early stimulation is crucial for developing speech perception and language skills in young children.
Expert Medical Team and Post-Operative Care
The surgical team was led by Dr. Sunil Narayan Dutt, chief cochlear implant surgeon and senior consultant, with support from Dr. Sumit Kumar Gaur, a senior consultant from Apollo Hospital in Bengaluru, and Dr. Deekshith Rajmohan, a cochlear implant surgeon. Anesthesia was administered by Dr. Mumtaz Ahmed, ensuring the child's safety and comfort throughout the procedure.
Post-surgical support was provided by Nimalka Sequeira, an audiologist and speech-language pathologist at Yenepoya Medical College Hospital, who will oversee the audiological and speech rehabilitation. Following the surgery, the child is recovering well and will undergo:
- Implant activation to power the devices and begin auditory input.
- Structured mapping sessions to fine-tune the implant settings for optimal hearing.
- Enrollment in an intensive auditory verbal therapy (AVT) rehabilitation programme to develop listening and speaking skills.
Recognition and Future Implications
Senior officials at Yenepoya Medical College Hospital, including Chancellor Dr. Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, Pro-Chancellors Farhaad Yenepoya and Dr. M. Vijayakumar, Vice-Chancellor Dr. K.S. Gangadhara Somayaji, and Medical Superintendent Dr. Habib Rahaman, congratulated the team on this achievement. This successful surgery not only highlights the hospital's expertise in cochlear implant procedures but also sets a precedent for using advanced technologies like SmartNav to enhance patient care in hearing restoration.
The procedure underscores the importance of early intervention in children with severe hearing loss, potentially leading to improved quality of life and communication abilities. As medical technology continues to evolve, such innovations promise to make complex surgeries more effective and accessible for patients in need.
