[Acoustic neurinoma. Otoneurosurgical approach]

From 1973 until November 1984, 224 cerebello-pontine angle tumors, 180 of them isolated neurinomas, were operated on. In a large majority of cases (160) through the widened trans-labyrinthine approach, advocated by House and Hitselberger was used. Despite advances in diagnostic procedures two out of three of these neurinomas were discovered only when they were already quite big. The post-operative overall death rate was 5 p. 100, tumor removal was complete in 96 p. 100 of cases and the facial nerve continuity was respected in 87 p. 100 of cases. These overall results can be still improved because in the last 50 cases, no death occurred, the removal was always total and the facial nerve continuity was respected in 96 p. 100 of cases. The problem of hearing preservation, impossible by this approach, is discussed. The necessity of facial nerve preservation and total removal, in order to prevent recurrence, is emphasized. It often seems very difficult to preserve hearing and to completely remove the tumor and at the same time, have the highest chance of saving the facial nerve.