Stripping surgery in facial nerve schwannomas with favorable facial nerve function

Abstract Objective We report 18 cases of facial nerve schwannomas in which stripping surgery was attempted to preserve facial nerve integrity and favorable facial nerve function. Methods We attempted stripping surgery on 18 cases of facial nerve schwannomas. Postoperative facial nerve function was evaluated. Results Stripping surgery was successfully achieved in 11 cases, and facial nerve decompression was performed on the remaining 7 cases in which stripping surgery was impossible. Favorable facial nerve function was successfully maintained in all cases who underwent stripping surgery and 5 of 7 cases who underwent facial nerve decompression. Conclusions It was possible to accomplish stripping surgery in most cases with favorable facial nerve function, which maintained good facial nerve function after total tumor removal.