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Surgical approach to the facial recess influences the acceptable trajectory of cochlear implantation electrodes

  • Otology
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To provide practical guidance to the operative surgeon by mapping the location, where acceptable straight-line virtual cochlear implant electrode trajectories intersect the facial recess. In addition, to investigate the influence of facial recess preparation, virtual electrode width and surgical approach to the cochlea on these available trajectories.

Methods

The study was performed on imaging data from eight cadaveric temporal bones within the University of Melbourne Virtual Reality (VR) Temporal Bone Surgery Simulator. The facial recess was opened to varying degrees, and acceptable trajectory vectors with varying diameters were calculated for electrode insertions via cochleostomy or round window membrane (RWM). The percentage of acceptable insertion vectors through each location of the facial recess was visually represented using heatmaps.

Results

Seven of the eight bones allowed for acceptable vector trajectories via both cochleostomy and RWM approaches. These acceptable trajectories were more likely to lie superiorly within the facial recess for insertion via the round window, and inferiorly for insertion via cochleostomy. Cochleostomy insertions required a greater degree of preparation and skeletonisation of the junction of the facial nerve and chorda tympani within the facial recess. The width of the virtual electrode had only marginal impact on the availability of acceptable trajectories. Heatmaps emphasised the intimate relationship the acceptable trajectories have with the facial nerve and chorda tympani.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the differences in the acceptable straight-line trajectories for electrodes when implanted via the round window or cochleostomy. There were notable exceptions to both surgical approaches, likely explained by the variation of hook region anatomy. The methodology used in this study holds promise for translation to patient specific surgical planning.

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Availability of data and material

On contact of corresponding author.

Code availability

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Funding

No funding was received to assist with the preparation of this manuscript. The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery (Otolaryngology), University of Melbourne, Level 5, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, 32, Gisborne Street, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia

    Bridget Copson, Sudanthi Wijewickrema, Xingjun Ma, Yun Zhou, Jean-Marc Gerard & Stephen O’Leary

Authors
  1. Bridget Copson
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  2. Sudanthi Wijewickrema
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  3. Xingjun Ma
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  4. Yun Zhou
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  5. Jean-Marc Gerard
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  6. Stephen O’Leary
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Bridget Copson, Sudanthi Wijewickrema, Xingjun Ma, Yun Zhou, Jean-Marc Gerard and Stephen O’Leary. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Bridget Copson and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bridget Copson.

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Ethical approval was given by the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital Ethics Committee (17-1313H).

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Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

405_2021_6633_MOESM1_ESM.tiff

Supplementary file1 Percentage of available trajectories via cochleostomy in various stages of facial recess preparation, as compared to anatomic facial recess preparation. The diameter of the virtual electrode is 0.8mm. (TIFF 98467 KB)

405_2021_6633_MOESM2_ESM.tiff

Supplementary file2 Three dimensional rendered segmentations of Bones 2, 4, 6, 8 in orthogonal views showing the variation in hook region anatomy. Cochlear = magenta, RWM = teal, OSL/basilar membrane/spiral ligament = blue, facial nerve = green, chorda tympani = blue, semicircular canals and vestibule = cream, incus = yellow, malleus = aqua, stapes = blue, stapedius tendon = orange, dura = sand, sigmoid = light teal. (TIFF 2446 KB)

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405_2021_6633_MOESM10_ESM.tiff

Supplementary file10 Bone 5 stage 1 of facial recess exposure. Light grey area shows the facial recess region which is the anatomic region of the facial recess. (TIFF 747 KB)

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Copson, B., Wijewickrema, S., Ma, X. et al. Surgical approach to the facial recess influences the acceptable trajectory of cochlear implantation electrodes. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 279, 137–147 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-021-06633-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-021-06633-8

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