Cochlear implant round window sealing procedures in the cat: an investigation of autograft and heterograft materials

Abstract

In this series of experiments it was shown that a round window seal produced with a muscle autograft or a Teflon felt disc glued to the electrode prevented a Staphylococcus aureus infection in the bulla extending to the cochlea. The seal following a fascial autograft also prevented β-haemolytic streptococci type A spreading to the basal turn of the cochlea. On the other hand Dacron® velour is contra-indicated as it was associated with a strong inflammatory response and a high incidence of infection. The studies also indicated that infection can extend to the cochlea before the round window membrane has healed. The junctional area between the graft and the margin of the round window niche is a potentially vulnerable site.