METHODS: Clinical records of 1089 cochlear implant procedures in a cochlear implant center were reviewed and data of patients who had incomplete partition type I were enrolled in this study. Their auditory and speech performances were evaluated 3 years after the implantation.
RESULTS: Eighteen cases (1.65%) had incomplete partition type I. Cerebrospinal fluid gusher was encountered during opening the cochlea in 15 patients (83.3%). There were no cases of persistent CSF leak or postoperative meningitis. In 61.1% of patients, some additional anomalies were found during the operation. Although in 55.6% of cases no electrically evoked compound action potential was detected even in long-term follow-up, all patients had satisfactory auditory and speech outcome.
CONCLUSIONS: Cochlear implantation is a relatively safe and effective treatment for patients who have incomplete partition type I, even if the procedure may be somehow challenging.