[Emotional aspects and quality of life of patients after acoustic neuroma surgery].
Acoustic neuromas are rare lesions arising in the internal auditory canal (IAC) and extending in the posterior cranial fossa. Surgical removal is the treatment of choice; peri and postoperative complications are directly related to the size of the tumour. Some Authors think the surgical treatment and related temporary or permanent neurological deficits could change the QoL and the psychological status.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this analysis is to ascertain if the surgical procedure could significantly worsen the QoL of this population 12 months after the discharge from surgical department.


METHODS
By using a questionnaires of Quality of Life aims to evaluate the impact that the disease and the surgical procedure have on this population.


METHODS
We have evaluated a sample of 150 subjects one year after the surgical removal of a acoustic neuroma. Data have been collected through questionnaires the Whoqol-Brief, the BDI, the STAI Y1 and Y2 and specific item to assess effects of postoperative dysfunctions.


RESULTS
Data reveal a negative effect on QoL, 94% of the subjects show lower score at Whoquol-Brief and in anxiety with scores higher than normative score sample (state-anxiety (t = 5.602 p = .000; trait-anxiety: t = 4.354 p = .000). Higher incidence of depressive disorders have not been found.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychological support to subjects after discharge from acoustic neuroma surgical removal should be tailored to improve quality of life and for a better management of anxiety.
Nichetti
E
E
Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università di Parma, Borgo Carissimi 10 Parma, Italy. enricanichetti@libero.it
Pelosi
A
A
Piccirillo
E
E
Sanna
M
M
Bettinardi
O
O
Rovetto
F
F
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012802:Sicily / Q000453:epidemiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires