FACIAL-NERVE OUTCOME IN LATERAL SKULL BASE SURGERY FOR BENIGN LESIONS

Objective: To statistically identify factors most important in affecti ng CN7 outcome in lateral skull base surgery for benign lesions. Study Design: A retrospective review of 217 nonmalignancy lateral skull bas e procedures from 1970 to 1995 at the Otology Group in Nashville. Meth ods: Charts were reviewed for epidemiology, histopathology, staging, t ype of CN7 mobilization (none, short, long, severance with reanastomos is, and resection), preoperative and postoperative CN7 function, surge ry performed, and survival. Results: Average House-Brackman (HB) score s for mobilizations were as follows: short, 1.65: long, 2.74; and graf ting, 4.33. Factors found to affect outcome in a statistically signifi cant fashion were preoperative HE score, staging, type of CN7 manipula tion, and surgical approach. Meningiomas were found to have a worse ou tcome than glomus tumors, Conclusions: Complete resection of tumors sh ould be performed with minimal manipulation of the facial nerve based on regional anatomy and tumor anatomy.