If your doctor has recommended you undergo acoustic neuroma surgery, you likely have a number of questions about why he made that particular recommendation, what the procedure entails and what to expect during your recovery. Learning more about your condition and upcoming procedure can be a great way to reduce the stress of a surgical procedure, allowing you to focus on yourself and your health.
An Overview of Acoustic Neuroma Surgery
Your acoustic neuroma surgery will be performed by an experienced neurosurgeon who specializes in the treatment of brain tumors. You will be under general anesthesia during the procedure, which is done in a hospital setting and requires a hospital stay of three days.
The procedure itself takes approximately five to six hours. First, the surgeon will perform a craniotomy, removing a small section of your skull to provide access to the tumor site. The tumor itself often grows around the brainstem and cranial nerves that affect the face and hearing. The procedure to remove this tumor has a slightly higher risk due to its location, but your neurosurgeon is practiced and the procedure is precise and careful.
Because of the proximity of the tumor to the cranial nerves and the risk of adverse side effects, these nerves will be monitored during and after the entire procedure. This means the set up will be slightly more elaborate, but it helps the surgeon know if there is any danger of damaging a nerve via real-time data and feedback.
The surgeon will remove all or part of the tumor, depending on factors such as size, exact location and the risk of the procedure. Once the tumor has been removed, the section of skull is replaced and the incision site is closed using staples or sutures. Your pulse, blood pressure, breathing and nerve activity will be carefully monitored as you recover from general anesthesia. Once your doctor has determined you are stable, you will be transferred to your recovery room.
When Is Surgery Recommended?
Though there are multiple factors that can lead to your doctor recommending surgery over other treatment options, there are three particular reasons why a doctor may recommend acoustic neuroma surgery:
- The age of the patient: If a patient is younger, this procedure is preferred.
- The size of the tumor: If a tumor is large, radiation may not be an effective option.
- The symptoms of the patient: If a patient has complete hearing loss as a result of the tumor, surgery is recommended.
If your brain tumor is already large and/or growing quickly, your doctor may decide it is important to operate as soon as possible in order to prevent further damage to cranial nerves and the brain stem. These areas are essential for your body to function and acoustic neuroma surgery may be necessary to remove all or part of the tumor as soon as possible.
The Pros and Cons of Acoustic Neuroma Surgery
Prior to recommending any treatment option, your doctor will take into consideration the risk and benefits of the procedure. With that in mind, you can rest assured that if he or she has recommended acoustic neuroma surgery (or any other procedure), it is only after he or she has determined that the benefits in your case outweigh the risks.
The pros of acoustic neuroma surgery are why your doctor is recommending the treatment. This includes:
- Once the tumor is surgically removed, it is unlikely to return.
- The surgeon can choose to remove just a portion of your tumor or the entire tumor.
Some of the cons of acoustic neuroma surgery are related to nerve damage, while others are common to surgery in general. This includes:
- Infection and/or pain at the incision site
- Hearing loss
- Weakness of the facial muscles
- Long-term problems with balance, coordination and other functions
- Headache
- Fatigue
Recovery Time Following Acoustic Neuroma Surgery
Following your procedure, you can expect to stay in the hospital for approximately three days. Most patients will be fully recovered several weeks following surgery and rehab or physical therapy are not typically required.
You can expect follow-up visits with your doctor following your procedure to assess your progress and recovery. Most patients will experience a lot of dizziness during this period, which is to be expected, as the nerve from which your acoustic neuroma developed is responsible for balance. However, most patients do not require medication and the dizziness will resolve on its own.
Opting for Surgery
Remember that not all patients will require acoustic neuroma surgery. Your doctor may have also discussed other treatment options, such as observation or stereotactic radiosurgery. For patients who experience no symptoms or mild symptoms and/or have very small tumors, careful monitoring and observation may be an option. For others, a precise form of radiation therapy, called stereotactic radiosurgery, may be used in place of, or in addition to, surgery.
Whether you already have acoustic neuroma surgery scheduled or are still in the treatment planning phase, it is important that you are comfortable with any upcoming procedure. If you have further questions about why your doctor may have recommended surgery, be sure to bring them up at your next appointment. Your doctor will be able to explain the benefits and risks as he sees them, helping you feel more at ease with any treatment decisions you make.
