gms | German Medical Science

76th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

04.05. - 08.05.2005, Erfurt

Experimental assessment of electrode insertion forces – a training tool to control surgical skills

Meeting Abstract

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  • corresponding author Dirk Mürbe - Dept. of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
  • Matthias Bornitz - Dept. of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
  • Thomas Zahnert - Dept. of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Technology, Dresden, Germany

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie. 76. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie e.V.. Erfurt, 04.-08.05.2005. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2005. Doc05hno561

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/hno2005/05hno026.shtml

Published: September 22, 2005

© 2005 Mürbe et al.
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Outline

Text

Cochlear implantation surgery aims to prevent cochlear structures by minimization of insertional trauma. However, intraoperatively, the feedback of electrode insertion is limited to the manual assessment of the implanting surgeon. The aim of the present study was to analyse electrode insertion by measurement of applied forces in dependence of different kinds of insertion failure and microsurgical experience.

Six otosurgeons of varying microsurgical experience were asked to insert practice electrodes in a cochlear model. Insertion forces were measured by means of a force cell connected with an electrode claw and digitally stored.

Maximum and mean force values were found to depend on the subject’s microsurgical experience. Insertion failures like tip fold were related to changed insertion forces.

Force measurements during electrode insertion provide additional feedback to the implanting surgeon. This feedback might support the training of surgical skills for an improved performance of electrode insertion in cochlear implantation.