The Price of Preservation of Hearing in Acoustic Neuroma Surgery

Translabyrinthine surgery for acoustic neuroma was introduced in Denmark in 1976, and the results of the first 100 operations are presented. Two deaths occurred, unrelated to the translabyrinthine surgery. Postoperatively, 75% of the patients had normal facial function, while function was reduced in 15% and abolished in 10%. The series represents 85% of all acoustic neuromas operated in Denmark, with 30 new neuromas being diagnosed each year, derived from a population of 5.1 million. The overall postoperative results are compared with the available results from suboccipital removals of acoustic neuromas, and are clearly in favor of the translabyrinthine approach. It is concluded that centralization of acoustic neuroma surgery is necessary, that all acoustic neuromas regardless of size can be removed by the translabyrinthine approach and that the discussion about the hypothetical preservation of hearing by applying the suboccipital approach is being made without solid grounds. To adduce the theoretical chance of preserving hearing in a very small percentage of patients as an argument in favor of the suboccipital approach appears quite irrelevant, and the price of attempting this with the suboccipital approach is too high.