Radical resection of trigeminal schwannoma at the cerebellopontine angle with support of the digital robotic exoscope Synaptive Modus V system: A case report and literature review

Abstract

We report on a 67-year-old woman who experienced drowsy mental status, facial numbness, and hearing loss on the right side; the symptom gradually worsened over the last 4 years. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 4.8 × 1.8 × 2.6 cm lesion located in the right cerebellopontine angle. She underwent surgery with the retrosigmoid suboccipital approach and support from the digital robotic exoscope Synaptive Modus V system. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case that used the robotic exoscope system in Vietnam, and also in Asia. We performed radical resection of the tumor, the surgery position and the pathology result concluded the diagnosis was trigeminal schwannoma. After 30 months of follow-up, she fully recovered and the magnetic resonance imaging showed radical resection of the tumor. The aim of this study is to share our experience with the robotic exoscope system, which can improve optical field and image resolution, hence creating an opportunity for surgery that otherwise is impossible. The application of this robotic exoscope system is a breakthrough in neurosurgery in developing countries, such as Vietnam.