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Biofilm formation on bone-anchored hearing aids

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 August 2011

P Monksfield ,
I L C Chapple ,
J B Matthews ,
M M Grant ,
O Addison ,
A P Reid ,
D W Proops  and
R L Sammons
P Monksfield
Affiliation:
Dept of Otolaryngology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Q2 Centre, Birmingham, UK
I L C Chapple
Affiliation:
Oral Pathology Unit, University of Birmingham School of Dentistry, Birmingham, UK
J B Matthews
Affiliation:
Oral Pathology Unit, University of Birmingham School of Dentistry, Birmingham, UK
M M Grant
Affiliation:
Oral Pathology Unit, University of Birmingham School of Dentistry, Birmingham, UK
O Addison
Affiliation:
Biomaterials Unit, University of Birmingham School of Dentistry, Birmingham, UK
A P Reid
Affiliation:
Dept of Otolaryngology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Q2 Centre, Birmingham, UK
D W Proops
Affiliation:
Dept of Otolaryngology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Q2 Centre, Birmingham, UK
R L Sammons*
Affiliation:
Biomaterials Unit, University of Birmingham School of Dentistry, Birmingham, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Dr R L Sammons, University of Birmingham School of Dentistry, St Chad's Queensway, Birmingham B4 6NN, UK Fax: +44 (0)121 237 2932 E-mail: r.l.sammons@bham.ac.uk
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Abstract

Objective:

To investigate microbiological biofilm contamination of retrieved bone-anchored hearing aids.

Materials and methods:

Nine failed, retrieved bone-anchored hearing aids and 16 internal screws were examined by scanning electron microscopy. A fixture from a failing implant, which had been removed and disassembled under aseptic conditions, was cultured. Finally, an internal screw from a new, unimplanted fixture was examined by scanning electron microscopy.

Results:

Debris was seen on the fixture and abutment of all bone-anchored hearing aids, and on the heads of the 16 internal screws. On eight screws, biofilm extended down the shaft to the threads, where it was several micrometres thick. Culture of a failing fixture yielded staphylococcus. The new, unimplanted fixture internal screw showed evidence of scratching and metallic debris on the threads, which may interfere with close fitting of the screw and subsequently facilitate microleakage.

Conclusion:

There may be a link between internal microbial contamination and failure of bone-anchored hearing aids.

Keywords

BiofilmsOsseointegrationbone-anchored hearing aidMicroscopy, Electron, Scanning
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 125 , Issue 11 , November 2011 , pp. 1125 - 1130
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2011

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