Intraoperative Cranial Nerve Monitoring In Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery

Publication Date: February 1, 2018
Last Updated: March 14, 2022

Recommendations

FACIAL NERVE MONITORING

It is recommended that intraoperative facial nerve monitoring be routinely utilized during vestibular schwannoma surgery to improve long-term facial nerve function. (Level III)
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Intraoperative facial nerve can be used to accurately predict favorable long-term facial nerve function after vestibular schwannoma surgery. Specifically, the presence of favorable testing reliably portends a good long-term facial nerve outcome. However, the absence of favorable testing in the setting of an anatomically intact facial nerve does not reliably predict poor long-term function and therefore cannot be used to direct decision-making regarding the need for early reinnervation procedures. (Level III)
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Poor intraoperative EMG electrical response of the facial nerve should not be used as a reliable predictor of poor long-term facial nerve function. (Level III)
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Overview

Title

Intraoperative Cranial Nerve Monitoring In Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery

Authoring Organization

Congress of Neurological Surgeons