Bear said:
If I had a deaf child and decided for implant and that child died on the operating table due to unknown circumstances before operating. Such as allergic reaction to the anethesia, maybe heart failure. I realize the chances are slim to almost none, but there still is that chance. That alone would scare me away from doing so.
Well, there is a "Pre-Op" procedural which take blood works, anesthesiologist ask question if have problem with general anesthesia and explains about it. Allergy questions will be asked, If think have allergy but not sure what kind, test will be taken to determine which so they can give correct medication. etc etc.. So that's what Pre-Op is for...
Bear said:
I must say you are definitely braver than me. Because the only way I would put my child on an operating table is for a lifesaving procedure. They wanted to put tubes in my son's ears and I told them hell no! I know for a fact there is medications out there to try FIRST! The doctor then refused to work with us and told me he would no longer be my son's doctor. I said fine, no problem and went to another specialist who agreed surgery is a last resort for that condition and put him on medications which cleared it up right away.
Well, Second Opinion is always good if you are skeptical or disagree with first Dr.
Bear said:
Whereas, with the CI itself I am very very undereducated. I know very little about them. But I do wonder is it possible for it to develop rust in there? Is it possible for it to corrode like a battery at all? Cause I would think if it is metal it would eventually corrode? You may argue about pacemakers and steel pins and that which may be true. Mind you, these are just questions I am asking. Not saying any of this WOULD happen. From what I can see the implant is implanting right on the skull itself is that true? If not what if it gets dislodged? Could that cause a fatal injury or a non fatal injury at all?
No, the implant itself don't rust since it has silicone coating. the casing inside the coating are titanium. not a basic stainless steel though. That's why we CI users provide links to those major CI makers' website that give technical specification as to what kind of casing and coating and type of electrode etc. It is all there. The implant is embedded in the "bed" on the surface of skull that has been carved. A shallow bed so implant can sit in it instead of right on top of the surface which would give big bump. Reason for embedding is to help it seat tightly and flush with the surface somewhat. the implant is secured by sutures that is threaded into hole on the edges. If it get dislodged, it is not fatal. A surgeon can reseat the implant in the bed better if it happen.
Pacemaker device is coated surface. Steel Pin are inserted into bones but no longer used, Titanium Pin are used now I believe...
Bear said:
This device looks relatively small is there a chance for the body to absorb that device eventually? Is there a possibility of rejection? Basically I want to know what you faced when deciding.
Yes, it is small the size of 2 quarters side by side and very thin. No, the implant is not in the area of "body" since "head" is not a "body"
However, head does not absorb the implant at all. but the bone will close gap around the implant as the child grow but will not enclose the implant. Once it is secured, it is under the skin and not shown or exposed to outside.
Fear of device rejection has been discussion in the past but was never the issue since the implant is not organic.
These are exactly some of my concerns in deciding to get a CI. Good job on posting some of the possible negatives that can happen!
