6ER-004 Local delivery of steroids to inner ear via medical device incat (the inner ear catheter) in partial deafness patients during cochlear implantation – preliminary results

<h3>Background and Importance</h3> Intracochlear steroid administration may be beneficial in partial hearing loss during cochlear implantation (CI) <h3>Aim and Objectives</h3> The aims were to assess the effectiveness and safety of using steroids and inner ear catheter (INCAT) in PDT patients who underwent CI and the assessment of the impact of the depth of INCAT on HP after CI. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> The inclusion criteria: adult patients, qualification for CI and severe or profound hearing loss according to partial deafness treatment classification. Exclusion criteria: age below 18 years; comorbidities; other pharmacological treatment which may interact with steroids. The study was approved by the ethics committee. Ten patients (five women and five men), aged between 40 and 70 years, were enrolled to this study. Their mean age was 53.2 years. Three different algorithms of using steroids: (1) Methylprednisolone 62.5 mg/ml (solution) – three patients; (2) Methylprednisolone 40 mg/ml (suspension) – four patients and (3) dexamethasone 4 mg/ml (solution) – three patients. The study took place at an International Centre of Hearing and Speech in Kajetany in Poland. The Shapiro–Wilk test – to assess if the assumption of normality for the variables was met. The Wilcoxon test for paired samples – to compare hearing thresholds before CI and at the CI activation. The t-test for paired samples - to compare impedance on the implant electrodes. The χ2 test – to assess the relationship between the HP and using steroids, as well as between HP and the depth of the insertion. Statistical significance (p &lt; 0.05). <h3>Results</h3> HP in all patients at the CI activation was as follows: complete hearing preservation (CHP): two patients (20%), partial HP in five patients (50%), and minimal HP in three patients (30%). The most favourable outcomes were observed in the methylprednisolone 40 mg/ml group in, where two patients (50%) achieved CHP, two patients (50%) had partial HP, and no one in this group had minimal HP. The results in the dexamethasone group were less favourable. The least favourable outcomes were in the methylprednisolone 62.5 mg/ml group. A shorter INCAT insertion depth is better than a longer one. <h3>Conclusion and Relevance</h3> Our results suggest that methylprednisolone 40 mg/ml may give better hearing outcomes. <h3>Conflict of Interest</h3> No conflict of interest