Maelynn:
My neurosurgeon (Dr. Issac Goodrich) had over 30 years of experience with AN's and had removed thousands. He had an excellent reputation with other area surgeons (including my wife's nuerosurgeon, who performed a spinal fusion on her in '05) as well as the hospital nurses I talked to. He was a past president of the state Medical Society. So far, so good. He did not take on everyone who wanted to engage his services, as he is quite busy, another positive 'sign'. During our first consulation, we immediately 'clicked'. I felt that Dr. Goodrich was almost eager to 'get at' my large (4.5 cm) AN tumor. I had absolutely no sense of being 'rushed' or that he had sometjhing more 'important' to do. He gave us plenty of his time. Most importantly, Dr. Goodrich listened to my concerns (many) and responded with clarity and a certain level of empathy. At Dr. Goodrich's urging, due to the size of my AN, I had the 'retrosigmoid' surgery (with 'fractionalized' radiation to follow). Dr. Goodrich carefully and fully explained every aspect of the surgery, it's risks and benefits as well as describing the recovery process and the 'fractionalized' radiation process that would come later (30 radiation treatments over 30 days - six work weeks). 'Insurance' (as he called it). He never 'ducked' a straight, difficult question and was very single-minded about successfully removing the tumor as quickly as possible with minimal nerve damage and a rapid recovery. Dr. Goodrich did a remarkable job. I was out of the hospital in 5 days with almost no residual complications and I was pretty much back to 'normal' within about 6 weeks. I feel very blessed.
Experience[/u] is the primary issue you want to address with any neurosurgeon you may be considering. Many neurosurgeons have a lot of experience with spinal surgery but only see a few AN cases in a year and so, have only limited experience with them, despite otherwise sterling medical credentials. That (relative) inexperience can cause complications and post-op problems . You want an 'expert' in AN removals. For instance, when I asked my NS about possible CSF leaks, he replied that he hadn't had a AN patient with a CSF leak in 'years' - and he fully explained why not (I won't bore you with the details, here). This was very reassuring and proved to be absolutely true, in my case. No CSF leaks - and no headaches, either. I don't believe the surgical method used to remove the tumor (retrosigmoid or otherwise) is quite as important as the skill and experience of the operating surgeon.
Following the surgeon's experience with Acoustic Neuroma removal surgery, I would want to know exactly what he plans to do, the expected makeup of his surgical team (my NS refused to use any hospital Resident physicians or interns on his surgical team...only 'pros' he fully trusted to know exactly what they were doing, right down to the scrub nurses....and that impressed me). He didn't feel that his patients were on the operating table for surgical residents or interns to 'learn' on, although her did allow them to observe. I appreciated that attitude. I would also expect my neurosurgeon to be very clear about possible nerve damage, surgical complications and how he or she intends to avoid them. Do not be 'shy'. These are the kinds of questions I had. Asking them paid off. I got a very AN-experienced, caring neurosurgeon who did a remarkable job and I've had an equally remarkable recovery. In addition, I'm 25 years older than you and had a much larger tumor than yours, Maelynn. That should be encouraging to you.
AN's are a real minefield but their removal can[/u] have a 'happy ending'. I trust your case will be one of those, as mine was.
