Advantages of the Enlarged Middle Cranial Fossa Approach in Acoustic Neurinoma Surgery

Utilizing an enlarged middle cranial fossa approach to the cerebello-pontine angle without destruction of the labyrinth or cochlea the authors have since 1981 operated on 263 unilateral acoustic neurinomas. Tumour sizes ranged between 3 mm intrameatal and 35 mm within the cerebello-pontine angle. Complete tumour removal was accomplished in 96%. There was one postoperative mortality, and only rarely neurological complications. Excellent function of the facial nerve was obtained in 78% (in small and medium sized neurinomas 90% House I and II) and severe paralysis persisted in only 6%. Preservation of hearing was possible in 70% of the small tumours, and in 50% of the total group. Against this background comparable data of the literature are reviewed, and the indications for the enlarged midfossa approach analyzed.