[Protection of the superior petrosal vein in microneurosurgery for acoustic neuroma].

OBJECTIVE:To explore the clinical significance of the protection of superior petrosal vein (SPV) in the microneurosurgery for acoustic neuroma. METHODS:From January 2009 to July 2011, 149 cases of acoustic neuroma microsurgery were observed. The difference in hematoma in surgical area, cerebellar hematoma and cerebellar edema were compared between a SPV without protection group (SPVWP group, n=8) and a SPV protection group (SPVP group, n=141). RESULTS:In the 149 patients with acoustic neuroma, the SPV was reserved in 141 patients. In the SPVWP group (8 patients), hematoma in the surgery area occurred in 4 patients, cerebellar edema in 5, and cerebellar hemorrhage in 3. In the SPVP group (141 patients), hematoma in the surgery area occurred in 40 patients, cerebellar edema in 56, and cerebellar hemorrhage in 12. There was significant difference in the incidence of cerebellar hemorrhage (χ(2)=3.84, P=0.05), no significant difference in the incidence of hematoma in the surgical area (χ(2)=0.646, respectively, P=0.422), and no significant difference in the incidence of cerebellar edema (χ(2)=0.611, P=0.434) between the SPVWP group and the SPVP group. CONCLUSION:In acoustic neuroma surgery, the SPV should be protected, which may reduce the risk of cerebellar hemorrhage.