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Updated: Sep 27, 2025

A Unified Methodological Framework for Vestibular Schwannoma Research
Published on: June 20, 2017
[«Burr hole» microsurgery for vestibular schwannoma]
D I Pitskhelauri1, N S Grachev1, I V Chernov1
1Burdenko Neurosurgical Center, Moscow, Russia.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive «burr hole» microsurgery for vestibular schwannoma.
Material And Methods:
A retrospective analysis of postoperative outcomes in 50 consecutive patients with vestibular schwannoma was performed. All patients underwent burr hole microsurgery between 2016 and 2020.
Results:
All patients satisfactorily tolerated surgical treatment. Total resection was carried out in 21 (42%) cases, almost total resection - in 21 (42%) patients (>95% of baseline volume). Subtotal resection was performed in 8 (16%) cases. Mean surgery time was 132 min (range 60-340). Postoperative deterioration of facial nerve function occurred in 20 (40%) patients. Severe dysfunction (House-Brackmann grade V-VI) was observed only in three patients. Other 17 patients had moderate dysfunction of the facial nerve (House-Brackmann grade III-IV). Useful hearing was preserved in 6 (50%) out of 12 patients with preoperative useful hearing.
Conclusion:
Minimally invasive burr hole microsurgery is an effective method for vestibular schwannoma. Moreover, the proposed technique reduces surgery time due to simpler craniotomy and wound closure.

