Socioeconomic impact of acoustic neuroma surgery.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the impact of acoustic neuroma (AN) surgery on socioeconomic function.

STUDY

DESIGN

This study was a retrospective postal survey.

SETTING

The study was performed at a tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS: One hundred thirty late postoperative AN patients were surveyed a minimum of 6 months after surgery (average 39 months). The survey response rate was 65% (130 of 200).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: These included effect of AN surgery on employability, income, activities of daily living, social involvement, and psychological well-being.

RESULTS

When comparing preoperative occupational status with latest follow-up, 2 of 125 (1.6%) became unemployed from their usual occupations. An additional 15 of 125 (12%) retired, attributing their retirement to the effects of the tumor itself (3), an aftermath of surgery (2), and causes unrelated to their AN (10). After AN removal, two formerly unemployed patients became employed. Among those remaining employed, there was no significant impact of surgery on either income or work responsibility. Return to normal activity was gradual: < or = 6 weeks, 31%; < or = 3 month, 64%; and < or = 6 months, 84%. Among activities of daily living, the tasks most often impaired (both before and after tumor removal) were ladder climbing and night driving, whereas dressing and bathing were seldom problematic. Overall, patients reported a minor decline in ability to perform routine daily activities after tumor removal. Social function (contact with friends, community involvement, and participation in sports) changed little after surgery. The incidence of both stress and depression decreased slightly after tumor removal.

CONCLUSIONS

The economic, social, and psychological impact of AN and its surgical management appears to be relatively minor, with few individuals having life altering consequences.