Observer variations in the evaluation of facial nerve function after acoustic neuroma surgery

This investigation was performed in order to evaluate the observer variations in facial nerve function after surgery for an acoustic neuroma. From 1976-90, 507 patients were operated on by the same surgical team (M.T. and J.T.) using a translabyrinthine approach. One hundred and forty-four patients living in Copenhagen City and County were invited for interview and objective examination. Only 128 patients attended the interview and examination which were carried out by the same ENT physician. Data concerning observation of the facial nerve function only is presented. Its function was clinically evaluated (using the House and Brackmann (1985) grading scale) by two different observers i.e. the ENT physician and one of the surgeons. The patients were asked face-to-face with the ENT physician to estimate the degree of facial nerve function according to a 0-100 per cent scale. Comparing normal and abolished facial nerve function the judgments of the ENT physician and the surgeon agreed with the patient's own evaluation.