Preservation of Facial Nerve Function After Acoustic Neuroma Surgery: Modification of the Facial Nerve Grading System

Abstract

Facial nerve paralysis is a visible complication after acoustic neuroma surgery. In this study, the prognostic factors that can predict postoperative facial nerve function after acoustic neuroma surgery were investigated. The medical records of 68 patients with acoustic neuroma who underwent surgery with neurotological approaches from March 1987 to May 2001 at Seoul National University Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. The influence of surgical approach, preoperative facial nerve function, and tumor size on postoperative facial nerve function was determined by examining facial nerve function preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at the time of the last follow-up using the House-Brackmann grading system. Spearman correlation analysis was used for the statistical evaluation. Surgical approach for tumor removal and tumor extension had no influence on preserving the facial nerve. Preoperative and immediate postoperative facial nerve function and tumor size were important prognostic factors in long-term facial nerve function.