title: [Quality of life following vestibular schwannoma surgery].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluates quality of life (QOL) in patients following surgery for vestibular schwannoma (VS) using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI), and a pain questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  The questionnaires were sent to 95 patients who had undergone surgery at our institution. The impact of several factors on self-assessed QOL was also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 72 %. Considering overall QOL, 30 % patients reported that QOL became better, 56 % patients said it was worse, and in 14 % patients it remained the same. No differences in postoperative QOL were found when comparing side, gender, age, tumor size, hearing preservation, or post-operative facial function. Deterioration of postoperative QOL was less frequent in patients with vertigo and brain stem compression before surgery. Post-operative pain was associated with poorer QOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  QOL becomes worse in several cases after surgery for VS. However, patients must understand that the main goal of VS surgery is to avoid life-threatening complications or death.
authors: Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España. carolalfc@hotmail.com
authors: Carolina
authors: C
authors: Alfonso
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Lassaletta
authors: Josefa
authors: J
authors: Sarriá
authors: Javier
authors: J
authors: Gavilán
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires