Active bone conduction implant in a three-year-old pediatric patient with hemifacial microsomia: Case report

In the last decades, novel bone transmission devices have been developed, such as active-transcutaneous devices, which maintain the integrity of the skin and direct vibratory stimulation of the bone. There is no consensus regarding the minimum age to carry out the surgery and it is a topic for continued debate. We present a case of a male patient, 3 years of age, diagnosed with hemifacial microsomia and bilateral atresia of the external auditory canal, among other malformations. Despite making multiple adjustments to the bone conduction hearing aid, limited gain of function and auditory perception were observed in the patient. Implantation of an active bone conduction hearing aid, MED-EL brand, Bonebridge™ model, was thus proposed to improve auditory perception. We present the results of treatment and follow-up.