Cochlear Implantation in the Older Veteran Population: Safe and Effective Without Need for Increased Resource Utilization

Monday, September 30, 2024

9:42 AM – 9:48 AM EDT

Location: MBCC, 231

Disclosure(s):

Douglas J. Totten, MD, MBA:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Evan C. Cumpston, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Rick F. Nelson, MD, PhD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Cochlear implantation (CI) has become increasingly accessible due to expanding indications and expansion of CI programs nationwide—including expansion of CI programs in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This study assesses the safety, efficacy, and resource utilization required for successful implantation in a cohort of United States (US) military veterans.

Methods: Retrospective review of surgical, clinical, and audiometric records at a single VHA hospital.

Results: In total, 56 patients underwent cochlear implantation between 2019 and 2022. Average age was 75 (9) years and 45 (80%) patients were age 70 or older. Cardiopulmonary comorbidities including COPD, CHF, prior myocardial infarction, or known coronary artery disease were present in 17 (30%) patients. Most patients (91%) had an ASA physical status score of 2 or 3 while 9% had an ASA score of 4. Average operative time was 113 (standard deviation 21) minutes. Two (3.6%) patients required overnight observation—one due to electrocardiogram changes intraoperatively and one due to dizziness after a planned concurrent labyrinthectomy. Three (5.3%) patients experienced mild incisional breakdown postoperatively which resolved with antibiotics while 2 (3.6%) experienced postoperative dizziness. No patients required hospital readmission. No further immediate postoperative complications were encountered. Average 12-month AzBio and CNC scores were 62% and 58%, respectively. Neither ASA score nor operative time was associated with performance or CI usage.

Conclusions: Cochlear implantation was able to be performed on an outpatient basis in the vast majority of cases in a cohort of predominantly elderly US military veterans without significant complication or need for extended postoperative stay or readmission.

Presenting Author(s)

DT

Douglas J. Totten, MD, MBA

Resident Physician
Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Co-Author(s)

KL

Karen Libich, AuD

United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
AS

Abdul Saltagi, BS

Medical Student
Indiana University School of Medicine, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.

Presenting Author(s)

Evan C. Cumpston, MD

Assistant Professor
Indiana University School of Medicine , Department of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery
Indianapolis, IN, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Senior Author(s)

Rick F. Nelson, MD, PhD

Professor
Indiana University School of Medicine
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.