Complications of large acoustic neuromas and their prevention

Abstract

Objective To discuss the common complications of large acoustic neuromas performed surgery via suboccipital retrosigmoid approach under neurophysiological monitoring, and the prevention of postsurgical complications. Methods One hundred and sixteen patients with large acoustic neuromas, admitted to our hospital from May 2006 to April 2010, were performed surgery via suboccipital retrosigmoid approach under neurophysiological monitoring; clinical data and follow-up data (3-12 months) of these patients were collected and analyzed retrospectively; the influence of tumor dimension on short- and long-term postoperative complications after the surgery were compared.Results Total tumor resection was achieved in 107 patients, subtotal resection in 7 patients, and partial resection in 2 patients. After the operation, the facial nerve was preserved anatomically in 101 patients (87.07%); and the functional valuation of facial nerve according to postoperative House-Brackman showed 89 patients (76.72%) in grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ, 13 patients (11.21%) in gradeⅢ-Ⅳ and 14 patients (12.07%) in grade Ⅴ-Ⅵ. Short-term postoperative complications included hoarse voice in 16 patients and herpes catarrhalis of injured side in 20 patients. Long-term postoperative complications included loss of hearing (n=83) and permanent facial paralysis (n=23). Patients with tumor dimension larger than 5 cm had a significantly higher incidence of short-term postoperative complications than those within 3-5 cm (P< 0.05). No patient died. Conclusion The keys to avoiding the complications are to master the clinical anatomy of the approach, accumulate surgical experiences, preoperatively study the individual imaging and clinical data, and use intraoperative nerve monitoring. Key words: Neuroma, Acoustic; Electrophysiology; Suboccipital retrosigmoid approach; Complication