Introduction
Cochlear implantation (CI) is a well-defined and particularly safe
surgical procedure that allows rehabilitation of hearing loss in
patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss.
Nonetheless, surgical complications might include meningitis, wound
infection, CSF leaks and facial paralysis [1-3].
The phenomenon of
pediatric
intra-operative hyperthermia (IOH) is well known; its occurrence in
children undergoing CI has recently been described [4]. While the
etiology of IOH remains unknown, it is suggested to follow a genetic
predisposition or, in the particular case of CI surgery, the disbalance
of thermoregulation by hypothalamic disruption [4-5].
Post-operative
fever (POF) is also a common condition following surgical procedures
[7-8]. While it rarely indicates an infection or other complication,
it often leads to costly fever workups. We have previously described
early POF after pediatric CI surgery (up to 72 hours after surgery) with
an incidence of 19.2% [9]. It was unrelated to
local
infectious complications and long-term implications.
In the present study, we examine the relationship between IOH and POF in
children who underwent CI surgery, and their relation to post-operative
local infectious complications.