Hi, Dhsgbb,
I had endoscopic surgery, just like a few people on the board. I had my first AN surgery in 1988 and second one ,this time at SBI in 2007, so I have something to compare. The experience itself (surgery and first few weeks) had been infinitely easier the second time around. It was more like a walk in the park, a picnic, etc., comparing to the first one. However, the long-term side effects are absolutely the same with endoscopic and traditional surgery: SSD, facial paralysis to different degrees, etc, etc. I know because I signed the papers and the side effects of the surgery were listed. To this day, I know of no scientific studies comparing head to head endoscopic vs. traditional surgeries, so any conclusions that I can draw are a compilation of outcomes and experiences of people on this board.
It seems that Dr. Sh saves the facial nerve in a majority of cases, even if it is difficult. Mine was saved. Nobody to my knowledge suffers headaches. Just to compare, I had horrible headaches after the first surgery, so bad that I was suicidal. Most tumors are totally removed. There were a couple of bad outcomes but then every noted neurosurgeon has them, so I would no go by that. The one thing that bothers me is that nobody has their hearing nerve preserved and that should be a primary consideration for somebody like you - young with a tiny tumor. It is a real possibility for you and you should definitely try. You just don't know what is going to happen in the future.
With the tumor of this size, you are everybody's favorite patient and anybody can save your facial nerve. Recovery looks like it is going to be rapid no matter which route you take. Complications will probably going to be minimal also because the surgery would not be prolonged and difficult. The deciding factor for me (if I was in your shoes) would be hearing preservation.
The goals of my second surgery were 1)total tumor removal 2) facial nerve preservation and 3) minimal pain. I was already SSD, so that was not the goal. It looks like I got all three of my goal fulfilled. The third one actually ended up being NO pain, because the endoscope went right through the existing metal plate and that does not hurt.The surgery worked out for me.
Hope I helped and I certainly tried being objective.
Eve
