[Surgical indications and complications management in vestibular schwannoma]

Recent surgical treatment concepts for patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS) require an interdisciplinary approach as well as recognition and mastering of complications.

This paper provides an overview of indications, as well as possible options for function preservation and management of complications in the surgical resection of these tumors.

Up-to-date treatment concepts and surgical indications were differentiated according to size and extent of tumors. The frequency of important complications was extracted from the literature. Technical options to avoid and correct complications were compiled from personal experience and review of the literature.

Complications unrelated to cranial nerves are not infrequent, particularly in older patients. Small and medium-sized tumors that do not reach the fundus and cochlear fossa can be completely removed with good chances of hearing preservation. As long as these tumors do not grow, patients benefit from observation. Large tumors are overrepresented in surgical series compared to their prevalence. Postoperative facial nerve function correlates to tumor volume. Hearing preservation in these tumors is rare. Intraoperative electrophysiological techniques are valuable for attempted preservation of cranial nerve function. Persistent facial palsies can be remedied by dynamic and static interventions for facial rehabilitation.

Mortality and morbidity associated with surgical treatment of VS are very acceptable. Surgical concepts should be custom-tailored to the individual patient in order to ensure high quality of life.