Revolutionary new method of cochlear implants

By MANDEEP SINGH

Editor: I've read this article a couple of times, and I'm still not sure what it says! It looks like an improved surgical procedure for doing cochlear implants; if so, that's big news. Bob MacPherson of bhNEWS is doing some research, and we'll report on his findings. In the meantime, here's the story!

This article was originally published in Bahrain's Gulf Daily News, and is reprinted with their permission.

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A SURGEON of Bahraini origin claims to have perfected a technique to implant artificial cochleae in deaf children by using a revolutionary keyhole method.

Dr Mazen M Budhaish, now a UAE national, said his technique is recognised by the Irish Medical Council.

"I learnt this procedure thanks to the generosity of the members of the UAE royal family over three years, which have helped 23 patients, all children up to a year old, between 2004 and now."

"Eighteen of theses surgeries, which have given the sense of hearing to these children, have been performed as charity with support of organisations in Saudi Arabia and the UAE."

Dr Budhaish was speaking at a Press conference at the Aysha Almoayyad Conference Hall, Isa Town.

He said the conventional technique involves surgeons drilling a hole up to seven centimetres deep and cutting open the portion behind the patient's ear to reach the place where the cochlear has to be implanted.

"The new technique, which is far less time consuming, involves the surgeon reaching the area to implant the cochlear by drilling a hole only four millimetres wide and inserting an endoscope."

Dr Budhaish claims in this procedure, there is no trauma involved and the chances of complications are much less.

"There is virtually no chance of affecting the facial nerve or other critical blood vessels in the area surrounding the ear," he said.

Prof Budhaish praised Bahraini surgeons Dr Ahmed Jamaal and Dr Abdulrehman Ghareeb, who have conducted several implants at the Salmaniya Medical Complex.

"They are doing a great job and they have been my guiding light over the years," he said. "I established contacts in Bahrain and would like to develop links with the specialists in the country.

"I am willing to get involved with local charities so that I can help the deaf-mute in the country of my birth."

Dr Budhaish has surgically helped poor children in Nigeria, Somalia, Iraq and Palestine with the assistance of the Mecca Al Sayadi charity in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, among others.