Comparison of intelligence quotients of first- and second-generation deaf children with cochlear implants.

Hearing impairment is a common type of sensory loss in children. Studies indicate that children with hearing impairment are deficient in social, cognitive and communication skills. This study compared the intelligence quotients of first- and second-generation deaf children with cochlear implants. This research is causal-comparative. All 15 deaf children investigated had deaf parents and were selected from Baqiyatallah Cochlear Implant Center. The 15 children with cochlear implants were paired with similar children with hearing parents using purposive sampling. The findings show that the Hotelling trace of multivariate analysis of variance (F = 6.78, p < 0.01, ηP2 = 0.73) was significant. The tests of between-subjects effects for second-generation children was significantly higher than for first-generation children for all intelligence scales except knowledge. It can be assumed that second-generation children joined their family in the use of sign language as the primary experience before a cochlear implant. The use of sign language before cochlear implants is recommended.

Flap outcome using "c" shaped and "new" incisions in pediatric cochlear implantation.

BACKGROUND: Skin flap failure is a significant, though relatively uncommon complication of cochlear implant surgery. To achieve a good surgical result, a proper plan to locate the prospective implant is required. Thus, a new design of flap was evaluated in this regard. METHODS: Two hundred and eleven consecutive children undergoing cochlear implantation in Baqiyatallah Cochlear Implant Center were compared with 75 cases who were operated through the classic "C shaped" fashion from Jul/14/2007 to Feb/14/2009. RESULTS: There was one case of flap necrosis in the classic approach but there were no major flap complications in "new" design, also keloid formation as a minor complication was rare in the "new" method. CONCLUSION: The "new" design is easier to apply with fewer complications, so it can be recommended in children undergoing cochlear implantation.

Detection of the GJB2 Mutation in Iranian Children with Hearing Loss Treated with Cochlear Implantation.

The 35delG mutation in the gap junction protein, ß2, 26kDa (GJB2) gene is the most common mutation that has been found in children with non syndromic hearing loss. Testing for the GJB2 gene mutation is simple and can directly answer the concerns of the parents about cause of the disorder and prognosis for their children. Cochlear implantation (CI) is one of the methods of hearing rehabilitation in patients with complete hearing loss. The present study was designed for genetic assessment of children who were referred for CI. Connexin 26 (Cx26) gene analyses were performed on 42 children with non syndromic hearing loss who were referred to the Baqiyatallah Hospital, Tehran, Iran for genetic consultation and CI. Clinical history was obtained and an examination conducted on each individual. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and mutation identification of the Cx26 gene was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and direct sequencing of the coding sequence of the gene. Cochlear implantation was performed for all patients and treatment response was assessed for all of them based on speech intelligibility rating (SIR) before and after CI. We found six patients (14.3%) with the 35delG mutation on the Cx26 gene, two homozygotes and four heterozygotes. No other mutation was detected. Treatment response in children with the homozygous 35delG mutation was better than in heterozygous patients, and treatment response in children with the mutation was better than in children with no mutation. Mutation screening for finding deafness causing mutations in the GJB2 gene is a useful predictor of post-implantation speech perception. We suggest microarray or other advanced mutation detection methods for assessment of other genes that might be responsible for non syndromic deafness.

A new technique during septoplasty to prevent saddle nose.

During septoplasty, especially in patients with severe deviation of the nasal septum, there is the risk of septal instability, which may result in a saddle nose deformity. Therefore, prevention of this unwanted outcome is very important and removes surgeon's anxieties. This article describes a simple technique during septoplasty to prevent the development of this serious complication. In this surgical technique, the dislocated nasal septum is lifted and stabilised with a temporary traction suture. This traction suture holds the mobile septal cartilage in the proper position to restore and support the nasal dorsum and provides it with a normal contour. The advantages of this technique are that it is (i) easy to perform, (ii) not time-consuming, (iii) is less traumatic compared to other methods, (iv) is comfortable for the patient and (v) provides long-term stability.