Clinical application of the insertion probe long and the inner rar catheter in challenging cases

Introduction Obliterations of the cochlea or re-implantations pose a challenge in cochlear implant (CI) surgery. In a previous study we were able to show, that using the stiff Insertion Probe L (IP-L, MED-EL) opens the cochlea lumen and facilitates subsequent insertion of flexible CI arrays. However, post-OP impedances were increased which can be associated with an increased trauma due to this invasive intervention. Deep intracochlear application of steroids via the Inner Ear Catheter (ICAT, MED-EL) prior to CI implantation has been described to reduce implant impedances. This retrospective analysis focuses on CI recipients with obliterated cochleae who received a combined application of both devices prior to CI implantation.