Hearing preservation in acoustic neuroma surgery.

This article reviews the Montreal experience of hearing preservation in acoustic neuroma surgery. The medical records since 1995 of 36 patients who underwent acoustic neuroma extirpation with the intent to preserve hearing were examined. Intraoperative monitoring was conducted using auditory brainstem response measurement with electrocochleography via a transtympanic electrode. The role of intraoperative monitoring in guiding surgical technique and its correlation with postoperative hearing outcome are discussed. A review of the literature regarding hearing preservation in acoustic neuroma surgery is included.