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.