OS09.7.A THE ROLE OF MICROSURGERY IN THE FIRST LINE TREATMENT OF VESTIBULAR SCHWANNOMA: IT IS ALL ABOUT THE ODDS

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND Given the risk for a deterioration of facial function (FDR), first-line (1stline) microsurgery (MS) is discouraged in vestibular schwannoma (VS). In contrast, 1stline radiosurgery (SRS) preserves facial function but has a higher recurrence rate (RR). As salvage VS surgery is very challenging, it could be reasonable to accept a slightly increased FDR of 1stline MS in favor of the lower RR. The aim of the present study was to determine the FDR and RR values of salvage surgery and to calculate the break-even point of MS in the 1stline VS treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study analyzed all patients with unilateral VS undergoing microsurgery between 03/2008 and 10/2021 (n=1470). We identified patient with 2ndline MS after previous MS (MS-MS) or radiosurgery (SRS-MS) as well as patients with 3rdline MS (MS-SRS-MS). After reviewing patients’ clinical and imaging data, we determined FDR and RR for each cohort. This data was compared to a 1stline MS cohort (CTRL) with a follow-up of at least 10 years (n=572). A mathematical prediction model (MPM) was applied to calculate the odds ratio (OR) of different treatment strategies (i.e., MS-MS, SRS-MS, MS-SRS-MS) depending on different FDR and RR values. RESULTS We identified 48 patients with 2ndline and 11 patients with 3rdline MS after failed MS/SRS. Time to recurrence in relation to the initial treatment was shortest in SRS-MS (35±34 mo) compared to MS-MS (128±179 mo) and MS-SRS-MS (38±17 mo). These patients had a significant worse preoperative facial function than CTRL patients. Extent-of-resection (EOR) was diminished in 2ndline (79% and 75%) compared to 1stline MS (97%). Both the FDR and RR were significantly increased in MS-MS (FDR:17%, RR:14%) and SRS-MS (FDR:45%, RR:5%) compared to CTRL (FDR:12%, RR:4%). Notably, MS-SRS-MS was associated with the highest FDR (60%) while having the lowest GTR rate (54%). MPM indicated that FDR<15% and RR<5% justify a 1stline MS. In the present cohort, these criteria were met for Koos 1-3 tumors (FDR:0-7%, RR:0-3%). CONCLUSION Recurrent VS surgeries fare much worse considering FDR, EOR and RR than first-line surgeries. Hence, reducing the RR of the first-line VS treatment is required. In smaller VS, the surgical oncofunctional outcome can reach the break-even point favoring microsurgery over radiosurgery as first-line treatment option. However, in situations with high FDR (e.g., large or cystic VS) a more conservative surgical approach might be beneficial.