Clinical significance of neurophysiological monitoring in microsurgery for large acoustic neuroma

Objective: To assess the clinical significance of applying neurophysiological monitoring to preventing the facial nerve from injury during microsurgery of large acoustic neuroma.Methods:Between Oct.2008 and Feb.2012,37 patients with large acoustic neuroma undergone microsurgery assisted with neurophysiological monitoring were recruited as monitored group,while another 31 undergone the similar surgery between Jan.2006 and Jul.2008 without monitoring were included in control group.Two groups were statistically compared regarding the total resection rate for the tumor,rates for both facial anatomical retaining and intact facial nerve function.Results:The results were significantly better in the monitored group than the control group concerning the total resection rate for the mass,retained anatomical facial nerve and facial nerve function preserved(P0.05).Conclusion:Applying neurophysiological monitoring to microsurgery for large acoustic neuroma may lead to preservation of facial nerve function.