The Journal of otolaryngology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Informed consent in otologic surgery: prospective study of risk recall by patients and impact of written summaries of risk.
To evaluate how much patients remember of the risks discussed with them about their otologic surgery and to evaluate whether a simple intervention, the addition of an information handout, improves recall. ⋯ The addition of a handout did not significantly alter recall of potential complications of otologic surgery with the exception of facial nerve paralysis.
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The object of the present study was to review a series of surgically removed vestibular schwannoma tumours to establish the incidence of delayed facial palsy and to evaluate the course of recovery according to the possible etiology (surgical postoperative edema or viral reactivation) with reference to the time of onset. ⋯ Eighty percent of our patients with delayed facial palsy following vestibular schwannoma resection were classified as having excellent or good function. In the remaining patients who had a less favourable recovery, the palsy was more severe, and the onset occurred after some time. This seems to agree with those who are of the opinion that the complication is due to viral reactivation. In these patients, it is advisable to start aggressive medical therapy with antiviral agents such as acyclovir as soon as possible.