[Surgery for jugular foramen schwannomas via a pure endoscopic transoral approach]

To report a new approach, endoscopic transoral approach for the resection of jugular foramen schwannoma.

Nine patients with jugular foramen schwannoma (three males and six females, ranging in age from 15 to 61 years old) were treated by direct surgery via a pure endoscopic transoral approach to the jugular foramen. Eight patients complained of hypoglossal nerve palsy with hemiatrophy of the tongue; six cases complained of vagus nerve palsy. Three cases complained of glossopharyngeal nerve palsy, one case complained of facial nerve palsy and hearing loss.

The nerves in this area were preserved and radical intracapsular removal of the tumor was performed via endoscopic transoral approach in the nine cases. Tumor removal, as assessed by intraoperative endoscopic inspection, postoperative magnetic resonance imaging and clinical evaluation, revealed all tumors were completely removed. One patient suffered from temporary swallowing difficulties and temporary right vagus palsy 1 day after surgery. There were no others intraoperative and postoperative complications. All patients were followed up for 4 - 29 months, no recurrences were occurred in all these patients and the muscle bulk, motor and the pre-postoperative swallowing function, the vagus palsy, the facial nerve palsy and hearing loss had improved in these patients.

The endoscopic transoral approach and intracapsular removal of the tumor provided for successful minimally invasive surgery in the jugular foramen schwannomas.