Single vertical incision for Baha implant surgery: Preliminary results

Abstract

Objectives: A single vertical skin incision with subcutaneous tissue removal is a cosmetic alternative for Baha implant placement. We aimed to determine the preliminary complication rate using a 4-cm vertical skin incision. Study Design: Retrospective review. Subjects and Methods: Vertical incision Baha implant placements from January 2006 to August 2007 were reviewed. Complications including skin irritation, skin overgrowth, and implant extrusion were tallied. A total of 71 patients underwent surgery, with a mean follow-up time of 7 months. Results: There were five minor complications (three cases of skin irritation, one wound infection requiring oral antibiotics, one postoperative hematoma) and seven major complications (one case of irritation requiring abutment removal, six cases of skin overgrowth or infection requiring flap revision), for a total complication rate of 16.9 percent. Conclusions: A single vertical incision for Baha implant placement has a complication rate similar to that of traditional dermatome use in this preliminary study. Patients with thick scalps or risk factors for hypertrophic scarring may require longer abutments.