Discussion
RECRUITMENT
Cochlear implantation by means of creating a tight subperiosteal pocket without drilling a bony seat is a minimally invasive fixation technique with many advantages. However, the safety of this technique has not yet been proven with certainty. The objective of this study is the comparison of two broadly used surgical techniques for the fixation of the receiver/stimulator device during cochlear implantation, with and without drilling. This is the first randomized controlled trial that directly compares the minimally invasive technique with the conventional method of drilling a bony seat. Multiple outcomes will be assessed, using objective measures for the assessment of R/S device and electrode array migration, speech performance, and patient experience. A limitation of this trial is the monocenter design, which may affect recruitment rate and external validity.