The American journal of otology
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The objective of this study was to validate measures taken to reduce the number of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks after removal of vestibular schwannomas to 0. ⋯ To our knowledge, this is the first series of 200 consecutive vestibular schwannoma patients operated by means of the enlarged TLA without a single CSF leak. When the appropriate measures are taken, the number of CSF leaks after removing tumors through the enlarged TLA must and can be reduced to 0.
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To report on three cases of severe facial skin burns resulting from intraoperative facial nerve monitoring in patients undergoing parotidectomies. ⋯ Successful retracing of technical defaults with biomedical engineers at the device manufacturer have led to the upgrade of the facial nerve monitor apparatus. The benefits of facial nerve monitoring largely outweigh the fortuitous occurrence of skin burns reported in this study. Therefore, this complication should not represent a drawback to the use of facial nerve monitoring.