Influence of age on postural compensation after unilateral deafferentation due to vestibular schwannoma surgery.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate the age-related effects of vestibular schwannoma (VS) on postural control and whether the postoperative postural strategies differ according to age.

STUDY DESIGN

Longitudinal, transversal study.

METHODS

Forty-seven VS patients were split into three groups according to age (group I, 14 patients aged from 30 to 44 years; group II, 21 patients aged from 45 to 59 years; and group III, 12 patients aged from 60 to 75 years). All patients underwent vestibular and posturographic testing shortly before as well as 8 days and 3 months after surgical tumor removal.

RESULTS

Vestibular and postural performance followed a classical time course with degradation just after surgery and recovery 3 months after surgery, whatever the age group. However, in the elderly the improvement of postural performances compared to preoperatively was more important, especially in conflicting situations.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite of age-related decline in postural control and cognitive processes, neuroplasticity allowed not only a recovery but even an improvement of balance after surgical VS removal in the elderly. This study highlights the interest of VS surgery even at a more advanced age.