[Widened retrolabyrinthine approach. Value in the surgery of acoustic neuroma with attempt of hearing preservation].

The retrolabyrinthine approach was described several years ago, however its use was restricted to functional surgery of the cerebellopontine angle. Its detractors reproach its narrowness. But a large approach to the cerbellopontine angle can be performed after an extended exposure of the posterior and middle fossa dura, and section of the endolymphatic sac. This approach was used in 5 cases of acoustic neurinomas stage I and II, with normal hearing. Hearing preservation was obtained in 2 cases. We had deafness in 2 cases who had extensive tumor in the bottom of the internal auditory canal.