Suboccipital acoustic neuroma surgery: results of decentralized neurosurgical tumor removal in Denmark.

From 1979 to 1990, a series of 59 patients with 59 acoustic neuromas were operated on in five departments of neurosurgery by at least five different neurosurgical teams, employing the suboccipital approach. Perioperative mortality rate was 8.5%. Complications including hematoma, ventricular hemorrhage, meningitis, hemiparalysis, abducens nerve paralysis, recurrent nerve paralysis, postoperative wound infection and CSF leak were observed in 21 patients (35.6%). Total tumor removal was not possible in 17 patients (28.8%). Converting the postoperative facial nerve function to House-Brackmann (HB) classification, 34 patients (57.6%) were regarded as HB 6. Reconstruction of the facial nerve was attempted in 19 patients (32.2%). Attempts at hearing preservation were unsuccessful in all patients. Failure to attain better results and the importance of centralized treatment of acoustic neuroma are emphasized.