[Results in otosurgically treated patients with acoustic neuroma. Part 1: Facial nerve function after translabyrinthine and middle fossa resection].

BACKGROUND: Regardless of all efforts to preserve a residual hearing, facial nerve function is still the primary issue for patients with acoustic neuromas. Since alternative methods like the gamma-knife treatment are of increasing importance, results after surgery have to be compared and discussed critically. PATIENTS: The results of 538 patients operated at the Dept. of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wuerzburg between 1989 and 2004 are presented. 392 had surgery via a middle fossa, 146 via a translabyrinthine approach.
RESULTS: Shortly after surgery 82.2 % of patients showed no facial palsy. 74 patients had an incomplete, 7 a complete paresis. After 12 months 144 of the patients operated on via middle fossa approach showed no palsy, 13 had an incomplete and one a complete paresis. Out of 76 patients operated on translabyrinthine approach 75 had no paresis, one had an incomplete, and no patient had a complete paresis. There was no difference between intrameatal tumors and tumors extending beyond the porus. Regular facial nerve function was seen in 93 %, postoperatively. Permanent paresis was seen in 0.4 % of cases.
CONCLUSION: Acoustic neuroma confined to the internal meatus or with minor extension into the cerebello-pontine angle (i. e. no contact to structures of the brain stem or vessels of the posterior fossa) are feasible for resection via a middle fossa or translabyrinthine approach. The possibility of hearing preservation combined with low morbidity and good results of facial nerve function makes these approaches the treatment of choice for this group of tumors.