Long-Term Outcomes of Subtotal Resection for Large Vestibular Schwannomas: Results From the Acoustic Neuroma Subtotal Resection Study, Part I-Facial Nerve Outcomes and Degree of Resection

AND OBJECTIVES: Complete removal of large vestibular schwannomas (VS) poses a significant risk of facial nerve [cranial nerve VII (CNVII)] paralysis. However, less-than-total removal may be associated with an increased risk of regrowth, which could require further treatment with additional risks....

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Audiologists counseling patients pre- or post-vestibular schwannoma surgery should be aware that subtotal resection strategies are associated with specific facial nerve outcome profiles; this data helps set realistic expectations but does not change audiological management protocols.

Facial nerve preservation is a defining quality metric for vestibular schwannoma surgery, and Part I of this landmark multi-part study provides the foundational outcome data needed to evaluate whether intentional subtotal resection adequately protects facial function compared to total resection.

1. 01Part I of the Acoustic Neuroma Subtotal Resection Study reports facial nerve function outcomes post-surgery.
2. 02Published in Neurosurgery (PMID 42714161), the flagship neurosurgical peer-reviewed journal.
3. 03Degree of resection achieved is quantified, clarifying what 'subtotal' means across participating centres.
4. 04Facial nerve outcomes are a primary benchmark for comparing subtotal vs. total resection strategies.
5. 05This paper anchors the three-part series and establishes the clinical rationale for planned subtotal resection.

PMID

42714161

DOI

10.1227/neu.0000000000004199.

Journal

Neurosurgery

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

2b

Population

Patients undergoing subtotal resection for large vestibular schwannomas

Intervention

Subtotal resection of large vestibular schwannomas