Robot-assisted cochlear implantation via a modified pericanal approach

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to present the robot-assisted cochlear implantation via a modified pericanal approach was performed. Case presentation: The patient, a 63 y.o male, had passed the typical procedure of qualifying for a cochlear implant at our center. However the preoperative CT of the temporal bone showed very anterior position of the sigmoid sinus and very low position of the middle fossa dura in the right ear qualified for cochlear implantation. For this reason, the pericanal approach described by Husler was chosen. The surgery was performed with the use of surgical robot - the RobOtol (Collin, Bagneux, France) and the approach was slightly modified. The whole procedure was described in details in the manuscript. Postoperative CT of the temporal bone confirmed the proper intracochlear position of the electrode array. Both surgery and healing were uneventful. Conclusions: The RobOtol surgical robot allows for the correct and safe insertion of the cochlear implant electrode in patients with unusual anatomical conditions and approach to the cochlea.