Hi Amplified,
Dysphagia is NOT common nowadays in AN removal surgery primarily because the tumors found are small and do not involve lower cranial nerves (X, Xi, XII) and brainstem which can give rise to dysphagia when involved in surgery. Additionally, AN arises from the VIII cranial nerve and even if lower cranial nerves and brainstem are involved,the tumor has to be separated from them which is not considered extremely difficult in either microsurgery or endoscopy. Only truly huge ANs which threaten a person's life can make dysphagia a distinct possibility but, thankfully, not a guarantee.
I had my first AN surgery in 1988 for a huge AN and had dysphagia for a minimum of 2 months afterwards, so I am with you when you state how awful it is. I think all the consequences of it are hard to understand unless a person goes through it. When my tumor regrew, all of it was attached to brainstem and when I heard that it reached Xth cranial nerve, I immediately thought with horror about dysphagia. I was especially concerned that there was pre-existing damage from the first surgery. Well, despite all that, there was no dysphagia after my second surgery!!! Needless to say, I was overjoyed!!! So, rest assured, dysphagia is such a tiny possibility for you that it should not factor into any AN treatment decision.
I would say it would be prudent though to avoid the area of lower cranial nerves if possible. Retrosigmoid or suboccipital approach has to pass the lower cranial nerves to reach an AN even if it is small while translab or middle fossa do not have to unless they are compressed by the tumor. Middle fossa is not even done on ANs this big anyway. This is just something to think about if you have a choice of the surgical approach.
Good luck and let us know how are you doing.
Eve
