Experts Map Surgical Approaches for Auditory Brainstem Implantation
A technique called auditory brainstem implantation can restore hearing for patients who can’t benefit from cochlear implants. A team of US and Japanese experts has mapped out the surgical anatomy and approaches for auditory brainstem implantation in the June issue of Operative Neurosurgery, published on behalf of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons by Wolters Kluwer.
Dr. Albert L. Rhoton, Jr., and colleagues of University of Florida, Gainesville, and Fukuoka University, Japan, performed a series of meticulous dissections to demonstrate and illustrate surgical approaches to auditory brainstem implant placement. Their article shares exquisitely detailed anatomic color photographs, along with step-by-step descriptions of two alternative routes for neurosurgeons performing these demanding implant procedures.
In a series of ten cadaver brainstem dissections, the researchers explored the anatomy of the region that the neurosurgeon must navigate to perform auditory brainstem implantation. They also mapped out the best neurosurgical approaches, both for surgery to remove the tumors and for auditory brainstem implant placement.
Based on their findings, Dr. Rhoton and colleagues detail two surgical approaches: a “translabyrinthine” and a “retrosigmoid” approach. They outline a step- by -step route for both approaches, designed to provide safe access to the area while minimizing trauma to the brainstem and surrounding structures.
Paper:
http://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2015&issue=06001&article=00011&type=abstract
Article:
http://www.wolterskluwerhealth.com/News/Pages/Experts-Map-Surgical-Approaches-for-Auditory-Brainstem-Implantation.aspx
#neurosurgery #ABI #AMI
Fascinating article and research. So many Deaf people are extremely opposed to such surgery. They argue the way they are born deaf is normal and this is unnecessary. They say brain surgery is too risky and that what we hearing people hear will never be what the sounds are that a person with an implant will sense. However, to hearing people, the vast majority will think this an obvious solution, eh?
ReplyDeleteTo give someone something they have never had, or have lost, like hearing or sight is certainly an interesting topic. Who is to say they will be better for it, if they have never had the experience before? What I see, hear and feel is unique to me, how I see 'blue', taste 'chocolate', or hear the sound of birdsong may be different to others and there is no way of really getting inside another persons head to know for sure - we can only make assumptions based on our own perceptions.
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly a personal choice to (re)gain hearing and people may not choose to do so, but I think it is nevertheless a good thing to have technology such as this
Yes, I sure do agree with your comments, Sam Collett ! I work in the disability awareness field and also with assistive technology. But the rabid hatred of Deaf folks for this technology surely takes you aback. I think having these options is an incredible thing and hope research continues. Who knows what will come from these attempts, far in the future!
ReplyDeleteI do think having the choice is a good thing. There will always be those who may dislike a technological innovation, but there are also those who would want it. People can also change their opinions with time. It is about having an open mind
ReplyDeleteI admire those that won't opt for surgery; it demonstrates these individuals are content with themselves and their abilities. Also, deaf people have enhanced themselves in other areas as their brains are rewired. However our world is limited by our fives senses and science appears destined to not only provide ways to enhance the five senses but offer the ability for additional senses as well e.g., to see magnetic north or to talk with aliens. So for me, those sound like entertaining options.
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing advance, imagine how wonderful will be for kids and teenagers ;)
ReplyDeleteWe all promote how wonderful it is to accept ourselves the way we are...but thing is the society we are living in has other standards.
If science & medicine can fix the deafness then we should embrace it. In a world where we're surrounded by amazing sounds, it would be a disadvantage to live in a silent universe.