Need for facial reanimation after operations for vestibular schwannoma: patients perspective

Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg. 2003;37(2):75-80. doi: 10.1080/02844310310005595.

Abstract

A total of 779 patients operated on for vestibular schwannoma mostly by the translabyrinthine approach in Denmark during the period 1976-2000 answered a questionnaire about various postoperative consequences. In this paper we describe the patients' facial function evaluated by professionals one year postoperatively and self-evaluated by each patient according to the House-Brackmann scale at the time of the questionnaire. The patients' self-evaluation was more pessimistic than that of the professionals with 26% reporting House-Brackmann grade IV-VI, compared with 20%. One hundred and seventeen (15%) of 779 patients considered their facial palsy to be a big problem and 125 patients (16%) were interested in surgical treatment for the sequelae of facial palsy. Seventy-eight (10%) had already had some kind of operation, usually the VII-XII coaptation. Thirty-three of 61 patients who had already been operated on for facial palsy were interested in further surgical treatment. One hundred and ninety-five patients (25%) had some kind of operation on the eye, mostly (88%) a tarsorrhaphy. Reanimation procedures such as a palpebral gold weight or a spring, apparently still have a small place in Denmark. In conclusion, there seem to be a considerable and unmet need for surgical reanimation of facial function in patients with facial palsy after operations for vestibular schwannoma in Denmark.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Body Image
  • Denmark
  • Facial Nerve / surgery*
  • Facial Nerve Injuries / etiology*
  • Facial Nerve Injuries / surgery
  • Facial Paralysis / etiology
  • Facial Paralysis / surgery*
  • Female
  • Health Services Needs and Demand*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroma, Acoustic / complications
  • Neuroma, Acoustic / surgery*
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / adverse effects*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care*
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery*