Bonebridge BCI 602 implantation in syndromic and non-syndromic patients with bilateral microtia and aural atresia

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Bonebridge bone conduction implant (BCI) 602 implantation in syndromic and non-syndromic patients with bilateral microtia and aural atresia (AA).

Methods

This retrospective study included 15 patients (3 syndromic, 12 non-syndromic) with bilateral microtia and AA who underwent BCI 602 implantation at a tertiary medical center between January 2022 and June 2024. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded, with a minimum follow-up of six months. Audiological outcomes, including functional hearing gain (FHG), speech reception threshold (SRT), and word recognition score (WRS), were analyzed.

Results

No intraoperative complications occurred in any cases. One minor postoperative complication (6.7 %) was reported in a non-syndromic patient during follow-up. The mean unaided and aided sound field threshold pure tone averages were 60.3 ± 8.7 dB HL and 23.8 ± 3.9 dB HL, respectively, yielding an FHG of 36.6 ± 9.3 dB HL (p < 0.05). SRT improved from 57.0 ± 5.9 dB HL to 27.0 ± 6.5 dB HL in quiet and from 0.3 ± 8.5 dB SNR to −10.7 ± 4.2 dB SNR in noise. WRS increased from 45.1 ± 20.7 % to 89.9 ± 5.6 % in quiet and from 40.9 ± 20.9 % to 80.9 ± 13.8 % in noise (p < 0.05). Improvements in FHG, SRT, and WRS were comparable between syndromic and non-syndromic groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The Bonebridge BCI 602 is a safe and effective option for hearing restoration in both syndromic and non-syndromic patients with bilateral microtia and AA. Its compact design enhances surgical safety and minimizes risks to critical structures, particularly in syndromic patients with complex temporal bone anatomy.