Lateral Skull Base Surgery
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Lateral skull base surgery is primarily for removing acoustic tumors, meningiomas, and paragangliomas. The standard treatment for these tumors is microsurgery. There are several common microsurgery approaches:
- Retro sigmoid
- Translabyrinthine
- Middle fossa
Your surgeons will determine the best approach for you based on the exact location of the tumor, its size and the status of your hearing.
We make these approaches through an incision near the ear. We then drill holes in the bone of the skull base to expose the tumor. Finally, we remove the tumor with the visual aid of an operating microscope and an endoscope, if appropriate.
In order to reconstruct the bone of the skull base, we may need to use an abdominal fat graft. This means we take a strip of fat from your abdomen.
Our team of doctors works together to remove the tumor and achieve the best outcome for you. Your care team can include a variety of specialists:
- Neurosurgeon
- Neurotologist
- Anesthesiologist
Before Your Surgery
You will be seen by a team of neurosurgeons and ENT specialists before your surgery. They will determine the best treatment option for you as well as the goals of your treatment. You may need special hearing tests to see how affected your hearing is by the tumor. You may also need special scans that determine the best surgical corridor for your surgery. The scans also allow your surgeons to map any critical structures in real time during the operation
Consultations
Consultations for Patients Not Near Salt Lake City
Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma, pituitary tumor, or other skull base tumor? You can receive a consultation with a doctor at 麻豆学生精品版. After you send us your MRI scans and audiogram, we will schedule a telephone call with you to discuss your diagnosis.
Please have the necessary documents ready:
- A copy of the CD of your MRI images
- A copy of your audiogram (hearing test)
- Copies of any balance testing (VNG) or auditory brainstem response (ABR) tests
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Recovery After Skull Base Surgery
You will stay in the neurocritical care unit after surgery. Your care team will assess how you are recovering. It's common to experience dizziness and nausea after surgery. Your balance organ on one side has been removed and your brain needs time to adjust. Your team will try to minimize your discomfort with different types of medications and therapies.
Most people stay in the hospital for several days after surgery. Physical and occupational therapists help you get up and walk the day after your procedure. They also provide therapies that reduce lingering symptoms such as headaches or balance problems.
Once you are home, we will arrange for you to see a number of specialists for follow up care. Your follow up appointments will check for good healing and improvements in balance.
You will see your skull base surgeon for a follow-up appointment after a week or two to check your healing. You can usually resume your typical activities within a few days. It takes a few weeks to get all your energy back.
