Neurophysiological monitoring for preservation of facial nerve function in microsurgery for acoustic neuroma

Objective:To assess the value of neurophysiological monitoring in preserving the facial nerve in microsurgery for acoustic neuroma.Methods:Forty-six patients with acoustic neuroma were divided into monitoring group and non-monitoring group.The tumor was removed under the microscope without intraoperative facial nerve monitoring in 22 cases and with intraoperative monitoring in 24 cases.All the patients were followed up.Results:House-Brackmann system was used to evaluate the function of the facial nerve 3 months after the operation.Among the 24 cases in monitoring group,grade Ⅰ was observed in 21 cases,grade Ⅱ in 2 cases and grade Ⅲ in 1 case;among the 22 cases in non monitoring group,grade Ⅰ was observed in 13 cases,grade Ⅱ in 5 cases,grade Ⅲ in 2 cases and grade Ⅴin 2 cases.The difference was significant(P0.05).Conclusions:Neurophysiological monitoring may effectively preserve the facial nerve function in microsurgery for acoustic neuroma.