In modern cochlear implantation, 'soft surgery' techniques such as slow electrode insertion, use of viscoelastics, and a round window or nearby cochleostomy approach are employed primarily to:

• A Shorten the operating time and reduce anesthesia risk
• B Preserve residual low-frequency hearing for electric-acoustic stimulation ✓
• C Prevent facial nerve stimulation after activation
• D Allow insertion of a longer electrode into the apex

Explanation

Soft surgery minimizes intracochlear trauma such as basilar membrane rupture and spiral ligament injury, aiming to preserve any residual low-frequency acoustic hearing. Preserved hearing allows combined electric-acoustic stimulation, where low frequencies are amplified acoustically and higher frequencies receive electrical stimulation. Operating time, facial stimulation and electrode length are secondary considerations and are not the stated goal of this technique.

Reference: Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery, 7th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.