retrosigmoid surgery

[bethtretrault]

I am trying to get an idea of how long the surgery might be. For those who had retrosigmoid approach for a small tumor can you tell me how long your surgery lasted? For some reason I just really feel like I want to know...

[emily vandalen]

I had restrosigmoid at Johns Hopkins in early April for a 2 cm. neuroma.  The surgery took 8 hours and I left the hospital on the 5th day after surgery.

[New girl]

Mine was 9.5 hours.

[bethtretrault]

Thank-you for your replies. How are you all doing? My surgery is scheduled for November.

[Steve2014]

I was also looking for that answer, seems like 6 to 10 hours is pretty common on these boards. I had one doc tell me 2 to 2.5 hours was all he needed, that scared me. My surgery is scheduled at USC in a few weeks, i think i was told typically to figure 5 hours. I don't want anyone rushing! Here are you having surgery?

[bethtretrault]

My surgery will be at Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. Good luck-let me know how you are doing.

[emily vandalen]

You asked how we are doing...there is always a "new normal."  I am so thankful to have had very little pain and no lingering headaches.  I only took Tylenol starting on the 4th day after surgery and within 2 weeks took no meds for pain.  Also thankful to have no facial paralysis.  I did lose all the hearing on the AN side (as was predicted), have lost maybe 40-50% of my ability to taste, and have a little bit of residual "wonkiness" (unsteadiness).  Today was 3.5 months post surgery.

[Echo]

Although I ended up having Gamma Knife, the length of time for surgery was a big concern for me.  I have had past surgeries, no longer than 2 hours and did not react well to anesthetic.  I would be very afraid of any surgeon telling you 2 - 2.5 hours will do the job for AN surgery.  The majority of posts I've read have surgery in the 8 - 10 hour range.  When I was doing my research I had two surgeons tell me to expect an average of 9 hours.  The neurosurgeon I ended up with, would never quote a time - his comment was "It will take as long as is required - we cannot rush these things."

Cathie.

[leapyrtwins]

Depends on the location of your AN and how sticky it is.

Mine was 3+ cms and my surgery lasted 7 1/2 hours.

Jan

[bethtretrault]

Thanks all. Sounds like there are lots of variables in the length of surgery time. Emily-did you have to have vestibular therapy? Do you feel well enough to drive and work?