Objective
To determine the method and significance of facial nerve preservation during acoustic neurinoma surgery by intra-operative facial nerve monitoring (IFNM).
Methods
62 patients were randomly assigned to the IFNM or the control group. Facial nerve function (FNF) was assessed by a modified House-Brackmann grading (HB) before the operation, 10 days and every two months after surgery and compared between the two groups.
Results
Ten days after surgery, 26/32 patients in the IFNM group and 15/30 patients in the control group had FNF HB grade I–III; FNF HB grade IV–V was present in 6/32 in the IFNM group and 15/30 in the control group. During follow-up, 29/32 patients in the IFNM group and 20/30 patients in the control group had FNF HB grade I–III; FNF HB grade IV–V was present in 3/32 in the IFNM group and 10/30 in the control group. All differences were statistically significant.
Conclusion
IFNM significantly improved anatomic and functional facial nerve preservation as well as the quality of life.