Prediction of postoperative facial nerve function in acoustic neuroma surgery

There is a need for an uncomplicated, consistent method to predict facial nerve function after acoustic neuroma surgery. A prospective study with a 2-year follow-up of 35 patients undergoing acoustic neuroma surgery was performed assessing how well intraoperative facial nerve monitor electrophysiological thresholds and facial function postsurgery can predict ultimate nerve function. Tumour size was a strong predictor of immediate (P-value < 0.0005) and long-term facial nerve function (P-value = 0.004). Immediate facial nerve function was strongly predicted by stimulus intensity (P-value = 0.007) and there was a suggestion of a relationship between long-term facial nerve response and stimulus intensity. It was not possible to predict delayed facial dysfunction nor the extent or timing of recovery of abnormal function. It is concluded that the combination of facial function at 1 month postsurgery with tumour size and stimulus thresholds is the best available indicator of ultimate facial function.