title: Nerve-sparing subcapsular resection of head and neck schwannomas: technique evaluation and literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The head and neck region harbours crucial structures and hence the surgical technique used to remove schwannomas from this region should cause minimal damage to these structures, with complete removal of pathology.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study entailed a retrospective analysis of 10 patients with head and neck schwannomas that were excised using a nerve-sparing subcapsular dissection technique. The primary aims were to assess the functional impact of the surgical technique on the structure of origin and to evaluate local control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One patient with parapharyngeal schwannoma developed symptoms suggestive of 'first bite syndrome' in the late post-operative period. Another patient with facial nerve schwannoma had House-Brackmann grade II weakness in the immediate post-operative period, which subsequently resolved. None of the patients developed recurrence during a median follow-up period of two years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nerve-sparing subcapsular dissection technique provided effective local control of tumour pathology, with relative preservation of neural function post-operatively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Cochin, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Battoo
authors.forename: Z A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Sheikh
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thankappan
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hicks
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iyer
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kuriakose
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014630:Vagus Nerve; D055815:Young Adult