■ OBJECTIVES: 1) To identify the operative and post-operative complications associated with placement of bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA). 2) To discuss appropriate management strategies for these complications.

■ METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent placement of a BAHA at a tertiary referral center.

■ RESULTS: Between January 2002 and December 2006, 21 patients underwent BAHA implantation as a single stage procedure. Fifteen of these patients were female and 6 were male. The mean age at time of implantation was 43.5 years. The most common indication for BAHA placement was sensorineural hearing loss. Complications occurred in 62% (13/21) of patients. The most common complication, excess skin growth over the abutment, was identified in 43% (9/21) patients. The mean time between BAHA implantation and presentation with complication was 20 weeks (range of 3 to 104 weeks). In 7 of 9 patients, resolution of skin over-growth was achieved by excision and debridement in the clinic. Early in our series, one intraoperative complication of CSF leak occurred while drilling the bone for the implant site. The leak resolved with placement of bone wax and the titanium fixture. There were no cases of implant extrusion or skin graft loss in our experience.

■ CONCLUSIONS: BAHA implantation is a procedure with low associated morbidity. Common complications associated with BAHA placement, like excess skin growth over the abutment, are relatively minor. Such complications can be successfully managed in the office setting.