[How to preserve the facial nerve in acoustic neurinoma excision: development of a microneurostimulator].
We developed a Micro-neurostimulator that is suitable for intracranial electrical stimulation of the facial nerve in excision of acoustic neurinomas. The tips of our Micro-neurostimulator were thinner and finer than those of commercially-available bipolar forceps and therefore it was possible to stimulate tumor tissue and the facial nerve selectively. This facilitated precise excision of tumor tissue from the facial nerve without residual tumor tissue around it. It was emphasized that the shape of the tips of stimulating electrodes and the stimulus intensity were the most important factors in obtaining reliable responses in preserving the facial nerve using intracranial electrical stimulation and evoked electromyographic responses.
Sekiya
T
T
Department of Neurosurgery, Hirosaki University School of Medicine.
Iwabuchi
T
T
Kiyomura
K
K
D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004576:Electromyography; D005154:Facial Nerve; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008839:Microelectrodes; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013525:Surgical Instruments