CLOSURE OF THE PETROUS APEX OF THE TEMPORAL BONE WITH IONOMERIC CEMENT FOLLOWING TRANSLABYRINTHINE REMOVAL OF AN ACOUSTIC NEUROMA

When performing translabyrinthine surgery for acoustic neuroma, the su rgeon opens the cerebrospinal fluid space. To prevent the development of post-operative meningitis, the surgical defect should be closed rel iably in a watertight fashion. To date, this has been done with succes s in 12 patients altogether using a self-curing bone cement (ionomeric cement). During follow-up for a maximum of three years there has been no evidence of cerebrospinal fluid leaks.