Surgery for Acoustic Neurinomas: A Proposal

Abstract

Surgery for resection of acoustic neurinomas (vestibular schwannomas) has been performed by way of the middle fossa craniotomy, suboccipital route, and translabyrinthine operation. The author has preferred the translabyrinthine operation for small tumors (less than 2 cm) for patients with poor hearing and the suboccipital approach for large tumors and for small tumors when attempting to preserve hearing. This paper proposes an operation designed for better tumor removal results, an improved technique for preservation of hearing, and fewer complications. During the first part of the operation, the posterior fossa dura posterior to the labyrinth, and also bound by the superior petrosal and sigmoid venous sinuses, is exposed by the mastoidectomy route. The mastoid is obliterated with adipose tissue. The suboccipital route is then used to resect large tumors and small tumors when attempting to preserve hearing. This operation would 1) facilitate dissection of the internal auditory meatus, 2) reduce chance for injury to the labyrinth with a resulting total hearing loss, and 3) eliminate the rather frequent (less than 10%) incidence of postoperative CSF otorhinorrhea and its complications.