The decision to proceed with a surgical implant is made jointly by the patient, the ENT consultant and the audiologist at an appointment called an MDT (multidisciplinary team) meeting.
The team together reviews the audiology results and the CT scan to determine which option will be best for the patient.
Surgery at Bradford Royal Infirmary is carried out by highly specialised ENT surgeons. Some surgeries, for the smallest implant, can be carried out under local anaesthetic, preventing the use of a general anaesthetic and therefore avoiding associated risks in patients who may be medically unfit.
Surgery for the more complex implants is carried out under general anaesthetic, which may be a day case, or may incur a night’s stay in hospital.
After surgery, implants need some time to settle in. Patients will have a review to check the surgical site and remove stitches if necessary with an ENT nurse around 7-10 days post surgery.
Patients who have an abutment have to make sure the site is kept clean every day. This will soon become part of a daily routine, like brushing your teeth. Patients will be shown how to do this with a wet wipe around the abutment, and this will be checked at each appointment.