Normal hearing after resection of a large vestibular schwannoma.

Dr. Marcelo D. Vilela – Department of Neurological Surgery / Harborview Medical Center 325 9 Avenue Seattle WA 98104 USA Box 359766. E-mail: [email protected] Advances in anesthesia and surgical techniques have brought the surgical mortality rate for vestibular schwannomas (VS) to less than 1%. Increased preservation rates of facial and cochlear function were observed in the most recent large series by Samii et al.. Nevertheless, preservation of House-Brackmann grade I and Hannover Class H1 (PTA <20dB and SDS >95%) hearing function postoperatively after total removal of large tumors is still a challenge, even in experienced hands. Our objective is to add to the literature a case of a large VS that was totally excised, with preservation of normal facial and hearing functions. Details on the surgical technique are presented.