Quality of Life Following Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery

Objective: This study evaluates quality of life (QOL) in patients following surgery for vestibular schwannoma (VS) using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI), and a pain questionnaire. Material and method: The questionnaires were sent to 95 patients who had undergone surgery at our institution. The impact of several factors on self-assessed QOL was also evaluated. Results: The response rate was 72 %. Considering overall QOL, 30 % patients reported that QOL became better, 56% patients said it was worse, and in 14 % patients it remained the same. No differences in postoperative QOL were found when comparing side, gender, age, tumor size, hearing preservation, or post-operative facial function. Deterioration of postoperative QOL was less frequent in patients with vertigo and brain stem compression before surgery. Post-operative pain was associated with poorer QOL. Conclusions: QOL becomes worse in several cases after surgery for VS. However, patients must understand that the main goal of VS surgery is to avoid life-threatening complications or death.