Remote Intraoperative Neural Response Telemetry: Technique and Results in Cochlear Implant Surgery Publisher Pubmed



Kouhi A¹ ; Swanson A² ; Fitzgerald MB² ; Blevins NH² Show Affiliations
Source: Otology and Neurotology Published:2022

Abstract

Objective Present results with remote intraoperative neural response telemetry (NRT) during cochlear implantation (CI) and its usefulness in overcoming the inefficiency of in person NRT. Study Design Case series. Setting Tertiary academic otology practice. Patients All patients undergoing primary or revision CI, both adult and pediatric, were enrolled. Interventions Remote intraoperative NRT performed by audiologists using a desktop computer to control a laptop in the operating room. Testing was performed over the hospital network using commercially available software. A single system was used to test all three FDA-approved manufacturers' devices. Main Outcome Measures Success rate and time savings of remote NRT. Results Out of 254 procedures, 252 (99.2%) underwent successful remote NRT. In two procedures (0.7%), remote testing was unsuccessful, and required in-person testing to address technical issues. Both failed attempts were due to hardware failure (OR laptop or headpiece problems). There was no relation between success of the procedure and patient/surgical factors such as difficult anatomy, or the approach used for inner ear access. The audiologist time saved using this approach was considerable when compared with in-person testing. Conclusions Remote intraoperative NRT testing during cochlear implantation can be performed effectively using standard hardware and remote-control software. Especially important during the Covid-19 pandemic, such a procedure can reduce in-person contacts, and limit the number of individuals in the operating room. Remote testing can provide additional flexibility and efficiency in audiologist schedules. © Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.