[Quality of life following vestibular schwannoma surgery].

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluates quality of life (QOL) in patients following surgery for vestibular schwannoma (VS) using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI), and a pain questionnaire.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The questionnaires were sent to 95 patients who had undergone surgery at our institution. The impact of several factors on self-assessed QOL was also evaluated.

RESULTS

The response rate was 72 %. Considering overall QOL, 30 % patients reported that QOL became better, 56 % patients said it was worse, and in 14 % patients it remained the same. No differences in postoperative QOL were found when comparing side, gender, age, tumor size, hearing preservation, or post-operative facial function. Deterioration of postoperative QOL was less frequent in patients with vertigo and brain stem compression before surgery. Post-operative pain was associated with poorer QOL.

CONCLUSIONS

QOL becomes worse in several cases after surgery for VS. However, patients must understand that the main goal of VS surgery is to avoid life-threatening complications or death.