RETROSIG OR TRANSLAB

[rupert]

Each doctor has a comfort level with each approach.  They will usually go with what they feel more comfortable with.  If you look long and hard enough you will find doctors that will do any of these approaches on any size tumor.  Hearing preservation is always hoped for, but no matter which approach, successfully saving hearing is rare. Every surgery has a goal.  Facial nerve preservation is usually the goal.  A common practice now is to leave a sliver of the tumor on the facial nerve lessening the chance of nerve damage.  Following up with radiation at a later date.  Some tumors are "sticky" and some are not, so deciding what can be taken and what can't is determined during the surgery.   Just no way to know these things ahead of time.

[v357139]

I agree with Rupert's comments as well.