Cochlear implant (CI) surgery aims to achieve atraumatic electrode array insertion to preserve residual hearing and optimize outcomes. Tip fold-over, a mechanical complication during insertion, can compromise stimulation effectiveness and may require reinsertion or revision surgery....
✦ The floor
Discussion
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Surgeons performing cochlear implant insertions should review their technique and the risk factors identified for tip fold-over, as this large retrospective series may inform intraoperative decision-making — though prospective confirmation is needed before changing established protocols.
Tip fold-over is a preventable surgical complication that can compromise cochlear implant outcomes; this large case series is among the biggest to characterize its incidence and associated factors.
- 01Retrospective analysis of 1,575 cochlear implant electrode array insertions.
- 02Focused on tip fold-over, a mechanical complication during electrode insertion.
- 03Examined associations between surgical technique and fold-over occurrence.
- 04Large sample size strengthens estimates of complication incidence.
- 05Findings may guide intraoperative practices to reduce this complication.
Tip fold-over is a mechanical complication occurring during cochlear implant electrode array insertion.
studysupportedSurgical technique is associated with the occurrence of tip fold-over.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42798565
- DOI
- 10.3389/fneur.2026.1976958.
- Journal
- Frontiers in Neurology
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 4
- Sample size
- 1,575
- Population
- patients undergoing cochlear implant surgery
- Intervention
- cochlear implant electrode array insertion with varying surgical techniques
Primary outcomes
Incidence of tip fold-over; Association of surgical technique with tip fold-over occurrence