(Vienna, 11 November 2021) A new surgical technique that facilitates the preservation of hearing post surgery has been developed for patients with acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas). The technique was developed at the Department of Neurosurgery of MedUni Vienna and Vienna General Hospital, under the direction of Department Head Karl Rössler. The new surgical technique is based on the results of a clinical trial conducted under the leadership of MedUni Vienna in 2021. This showed that early surgery for acoustic neuroma - a rare, benign tumour of the vestibular nerve - can preserve hearing with a success rate of up to 83%.
In the new surgical technique, the surrounding nerves are separated from the tumour capsule using a high-precision surgical knife. The technique is particularly gentle on the facial nerves and facilitates hearing preservation.
The video of the surgery has been published in the Journal of Neurosurgery - Neurosurgical Focus Video: Link to the video
Service: Journal of Neurosurgery - Neurosurgical Focus Video
Julia Shawarba, Cand Med, Matthias Tomschik, Karl Roessler
doi.org/10.3171/2021.7.FOCVID21104