Acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma): Surgical results on 240 patients operated on dorsal decubitus position

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the result of the surgical treatment of vestibular schwannoma (VS) operated in dorsal decubitus (mastoid position). Method: 240 patients with a VS underwent a retrosigmoid craniotomy for tumor resection in dorsal decubitus (mastoid position). The function of 7th and 8 th cranial nerves was monitored during surgery and the opened internal auditory canal (IAC) was reconstructed using a vascularized dura flap, muscle and fibrin glue. Results: Complete tumor removal was achieved in 99% of the cases, with a mortality of 1.6%. The facial nerve function was preserved in 85% of cases and hearing in 40% of the patients (with preoperative hearing) with tumors of up 1.5 cm in diameter. The incidence of cerebrospinal fluid leak was 5.8% and meningitis 2.9%. Venous air embolism was registered in 3% of cases; it was not associated to mortality. Conclusion: Surgical removal of VS in dorsal position has several advantages; the morbidity and mortality are very low.