[Laser CO2 in the surgery of acoustic neuroma]

The advantages derived from the use of the CO2 Laser in the treatment of tumours of the cranial base have been widely reported. The authors present their results after the resection of 12 cases of giant acoustic neurinomas operated on with microsurgical technique and CO2 Laser, comparing these results with a similar series, already published (Neurochirurgie, 1984, 30, 17-24), of 12 cases operated on only with microsurgical technique. The present methodology includes the evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging and with pre and intra-operative evoked potentials. A 60 Watt CO2 Laser adapted to the surgical microscope was used. The following parameters are compared: mortality, facial nerve preservation, duration of surgery, and hospitalization and and recovery. The only advantage of the conventional microsurgical techniques over the laser technique was the duration of surgery (5.5 hours vs. 6.1 hours). The other parameters improved with the use of the laser. This work, although retrospective, shows less surgical trauma when using the CO2 Laser associated with the conventional microsurgical technique.