[Value of the monitoring of the facial nerve in the evaluation of facial function in translabyrinthine surgery for acoustic neuroma].

Amongst the 62 patients operated for acoustic neuroma using a translabyrinthine approach, the authors study post operatory results at one month of the facial function according to the "House-Brackmann" classification. The analysis consists in 2 homogeneous and comparable series of 34 and 28 patients having benefited or not of a per operatory monitoring of the facial nerve with "NIM 2" neuro monitor. Without distinction of the tumoral sizes 76% of patients show a good facial result when monitorized against 60.7% when not. According to the tumoral size monitoring becomes more interesting: also you will find better results in the monitorized serial (71%) against 29% without. Other factors concerning the facial post operatory functions are also analysed by authors. To the very important part of per operatory monitoring, the anatomical status, microvascularization and physiological state of the nerve al as well as the operator's experience are to be added. All above factors must be considered when evaluating the final post operatory facial result.