Complications of bone-anchored hearing devices

Complications of bone-anchored hearing devices occur with both soft tissue and bone. Soft tissue complications are much more common and most often involve irritation of the skin surrounding the implant. Other complications include: skin flap necrosis, wound dehiscence, bleeding or hematoma formation, and persistent pain. Bone complications are classified as either early or late. Early complications are due to failure of osseointegration, while late complications are usually the result of either chronic infection or trauma. Pediatric patients are a unique group of implant patients and are more likely to have complications of both soft tissue and bone. Most complications can be managed in the office with topical therapy and wound care, although revision surgery may be required in extensive skin overgrowth cases. Proper patient selection, meticulous surgical technique, and patient hygiene around the implant are the most critical aspects in minimizing complications in patients with osseointegrated implants.