Posterior fossa approach for removal of acoustic neurinomas

Herein we review our experience with surgical removal of acoustic neurinomas in 74 patients from January 1978 through December 1980. The surgical approach was through the posterior fossa. Total removal was accomplished in 73 of 74 patients, and there were no surgical or postoperative deaths. The facial nerve was preserved in 54 patients, and hearing was preserved in five (21% of patients with small tumors). We believe that this approach to acoustic neurinomas has the advantages of being universally applicable, having a low complication rate, and possessing the potential of saving both facial and cochlear function.