Combined posterior tympanotomy/endomeatal access in cochlear implantation.

Alternative techniques for cochlear implant surgery have been described, such as endomeatal- and suprameatal-alone approaches, without traditional posterior tympanotomy. A combined posterior tympanotomy/endomeatal approach is proposed as a way to enhance surgical safety and effectiveness. 64 patients, 34 men and 30 women, mean age 28 (range 1-81 years), 26 pre-verbal and 38 post-verbal, were submitted to cochlear implantation, 32 by means of the described combined posterior tympanotomy/endomeatal approach and 32 with traditional posterior tympanotomy-alone approach.