[The facial nerve in acoustic tumor surgery]

The results of facial nerve function in twenty-four cases of acoustic neuroma removal using translabyrinthine approach from 1982 to 1987 were reported. Facial nerve had been paralysed in one case preoperatively. The facial nerve function were preserved in 21 out of 23 cases (91.3%). The appearance of facial nerve during surgery was as follows: normally located in 9 cases, displaced and deformed in 12 cases and invaded by the tumor in 3 cases. The size and location of the tumor determine the chance of preservation of facial nerve function. The procedures of manipulating the facial nerve and preventing the injury to the facial nerve during surgery were discussed in detail.