Bone-anchored hearing aids and chronic pain: a long-term complication and a cause for elective implant removal

Abstract

Chronic implant site pain represents the main reason why implants are removed electively, and affects 2 per cent of all implants. This complication has important medico-legal implications and should be discussed when obtaining informed consent for implantation.

Long-Term Stability, Survival, and Tolerability of a Novel Osseointegrated Implant for Bone Conduction Hearing

“…The first implant loss occurred in a man with insulin dependent Type 2 diabetes mellitus, a disease reported to be correlated with a higher risk of implant loss (21). The second implant loss was an elective surgical explantation because of chronic pain around the implant, a complication reported to be the main reason for elective explantations (22). The implant survival rate in the present investigation compares positively with rates reported in the literature.…”

Clinical Outcomes of Soft Tissue Preservation Surgery With Hydroxyapatite-Coated Abutments Compared to Traditional Percutaneous Bone Conduction Hearing Implant Surgery—A Pragmatic Multi-Center Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The difference in neuropathic pain between the two groups may be partially attributed to less nerve damage and enhanced nerve repair in the preserved, full-thickness skin in the test group. Neuropathic pain (42) is known to affect quality of life, it is clinically often resistant to treatment and can lead to elective abutment or implant removal (43), which was the case for one subject in the control group in this investigation. During the last 2 years of the study there was no increase of maximum neuropathic pain in any subject, whereas five subjects in both groups experienced a higher maximum direct pain.…”

Visualisation of the Bonebridge by means of CT and CBCT

“…The drawback of the latter systems is the interruption of the continuity of the skin. This can lead to a higher rate of skin infection as well as to restriction of the wearing comfort [6-14]. Moreover, good osseointegration of the inserted anchor is essential.…”