LAUSR

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES To determine the safety and efficacy of endoscopic keyhole surgery in patients with cerebellopontine angle tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a retrospective study of patients with cerebellopontine angled tumours treated by fully endoscopic retrosigmoid keyhole approach in a tertiary centre during a period of four years. Preoperative, transoperative and postoperative variables were analysed. RESULTS A number of 40 patients were included. The age average was 49.4 years and male/female proportion was 0.4-1. We found 31 vestibular schwannomas (77.5%), five meningiomas (12.5%), two cholesteatomas (5.0%) and two metastases (5.0%). Vestibular schwannomas Hannover type IIIb, IVa and IVb predominated. The surgical resection was total or near-total 92.5% of patients. Hearing preservation rate was 62.5% and acceptable facial function nerve function rate was 80% after six months. Hospital stay was 7.5 days. The total or near total resection and functionally preservation rate was high. Complications were unusual. CONCLUSIONS Endoscopic retrosigmoid keyhole approach represented a safe and efficient procedure in selected patients with cerebellopontine angle tumours.