Incomplete partition type III: A rare and difficult cochlear implant surgical indication.

OBJECTIVE: Presenting the clinical features and treatment options for incomplete partition type-III.

METHODS: Nine primary and 1 revision incomplete partition type-III cochlear implant cases treated between 2004 and 2015 in Hacettepe University Department of Otolaryngology were included in the study. Treatment options and particularly cochlear implantation tecnique were described.

RESULTS: Nine primary and 1 revison cases were all succesfully implanted. Eight cases were standart cases with no secondary intervention. Case #9 has to be revised intraoperatively and case #10 were operated four times in another center and revised in our department.

CONCLUSION: Incomplete partition type-III is one of the rarest inner ear anomaly and the rarest among incomplete partition group. Treatment options may differ depending on the hearing loss level of the patient. Stapes surgery should be avoided because it will lead to gusher and further hearing loss. Preoperative imaging is mandatory in order to avoid unnecessary stapes surgery. Incochlear implantation surgery a gusher and misplacement into the IAC may complicate the surgery. Gusher should be controlled intraoperatively and the position of the electrode should be controlled via intraoperative imaging.