Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology

Surgical Approaches for Ear Disorders

Acoustic neuroma surgery may involve the excision of all or a portion of the tumour. There are three primary surgical procedures for eliminating an acoustic neuroma: Translabyrinthine surgery involves making an incision behind the ear and removing bone from the middle and back of the ear. The benefit of this surgery is that it permits the clinician to evaluate a vital cranial nerve before removing the cancer. The disadvantage of this approach is that it results in permanent hearing loss. Retrosigmoid/sub-occipital surgery includes revealing the rear of the tumour by moving the skull towards the back of the top. This method can be used to remove tumours of any size while preserving the patient's hearing. Middle fossa surgery involves cutting a little section of bone above the ear canal in order to access and remove small tumours located in the internal auditory canal, a narrow conduit that connects the brain to the middle and internal ear. This procedure can also assist doctors preserve a patient's hearing.