805 Eluting Electrodes for Hearing Preservation – the Future of Cochlear Implantation?

Abstract Introduction Cochlear implants (CIs) utilising eluting electrodes are a relatively new phenomenon. CI surgery can lead to variety of complications, namely electrode insertion trauma. This affects function leading loss residual hearing. To minimise this, anti-inflammatory or growth-promoting agents be used protect and enhance hearing through the sustained release an agent. Eluting include glucocorticoids, steroids, growth factors neurotrophins. Method Systematic review narrative synthesis. Databases searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov Web Science. Results Searches identified 66 abstracts 37 full texts. Of these, 15 studies met inclusion criteria, reporting outcomes in 469 animals 24 humans, with at least 233 implants. included dexamethasone (n = 13), factor 1) neurotrophins 1). Audiological improved across all following cochlear implantation greater extent when compared standard electrode. Outcomes significantly higher concentration was used. Conclusions generally superior omission medication implantation. An elution enables sustained, localised anti-apoptotic agents, therefore reducing advent fibrosis, scarring subsequent impedance.