The value of the facial nerve monitor in cerebellopontine angle surgery

Operations performed in the cerebellopontine angle are now routine neuro-otological procedures. During the last two decades, there has been a steady improvement in the results of surgery due to advances in anaesthesia, newer microsurgical techniques and the increasing expertise of the neuro-otological team of surgeons. The primary goal of acoustic tumour surgery remains the complete removal of the tumour and the preservation of neurological function. Electrical monitoring of the facial nerve and, in special circumstances, the acoustic nerve has been introduced at St. Vincent's Hospital in order to assist in the preservation of facial nerve function and hearing. Facial nerve results of 61 patients following surgery with the use of the facial nerve monitor will be compared with a group of 129 patients who underwent surgery before the introduction of the monitor.