Universiẗat, Habil.--Hamburg, 2000.

Universiẗat, Diss.--Jena, 2004.

Tübingen, Univ., Diss., 2008.

Einleitung: Zwischen 1994-2003 wurden in Zusammenarbeit von HNO- und Neurochirurgie 615 Vestibularschwannome (Grad T3a-T4b) über den subokzipitalen Zugang operiert. In 89 Fällen (14%) konnte aus unterschiedlichen Gründen der Tumor nur inkomplett entfernt werden. Mittels neurologischer Untersuchung und MRT wurde postoperativ das funktionelle Ergebnis bzw. das Wachstumsverhalten des Resttumors untersucht. Außerdem wurden die Art des Resttumors und die Gründe für eine inkomplette Resektion analysiert. Material und Methoden: Alle Tumore wurden unter stetigem Neuromonitoring (AEP, Fazialis-EMG) operiert. Reichte der Tumor bis an die kaudalen Hirnnerven (IX, X, XI, XII) heran, wurden diese ebenfalls überwacht. In der postoperativen Kontrolle erfolgten eine neurologische Untersuchung und eine MRT. Die Ergebnisse wurden mit vorausgegangenen Untersuchungen verglichen, um das Wachstumsverhalten des Resttumors und das funktionelle Ergebnis zu beurteilen. Die Operationsberichte wurden nach den Gründen der inkompletten Tumorentfernung gesichtet. Ergebnisse: Starke Adhärenz des Tumorgewebes zu den Hirnnerven (VII, VIII, kaudale Gruppe) oder zum Hirnstamm, interfaszikuläre Tumornester, eine Gefährdung der Blutversorgung, spontane Entladungen im EMG oder eine reduzierte Ableitbarkeit der AEPs zwangen den Operateur, die Präparation abzubrechen. Die durchschnittliche Tumorgröße in den Fällen der inkompletten Resektion betrug 26,8 mm vs. 19,4 mm bei kompletter Tumorentfernung. Der zurückgelassene Tumorrest bestand in 86% aus einem Kapselanteil, einem Tumorrasen oder interfaszikulären Tumornestern. Grobe Tumorreste waren die Ausnahme. 12 Monate postoperativ wurde bei den Patienten mit kompletter Resektion in 88% eine gute bis sehr gute Funktionalität (House/Brackmann Grad I-II) des Gesichtsnervs beobachtet, bei inkompletter Tumorentfernung in 75%. 66% (n=59) der Resttumore zeigten keine Progredienz, 13% (n=12) eine Wachstumstendenz ohne klinische Symptomatik, 6% (n=5) mussten erneut operiert werden (15%/n=13 keine Kontrolle). Der durchschnittliche Nachbeobachtungszeitraum betrug 48,1 Monate (1-134). Zusammenfassung: Trotz Zurücklassens eines Tumorrestes kommt es nur selten zu einem erneuten Tumorwachstum. In noch weniger Fällen muss eine Rezidivoperation durchgeführt werden. Dies rechtfertigt eine subtotale Tumorresektion in den Fällen einer Hirnnervengefährdung. Verzichtet man auf eine komplette Resektion, lässt sich auch bei sehr großen Tumoren ein gutes bis sehr gutes funktionelles Ergebnis erzielen. / Objective: 615 vestibular schwannomas from grade T3a -T4b were operated between 1994-2003 in a joint intervention by ENT- and neurosurgeons using the suboccipital approach. In 89 operations (14%) some residual tumour could not be removed for different reasons. Clinical and MRI follow-up investigated regrowth rate and functional outcome. Type of residual tumour and reasons for incomplete removal were analyzed. Methods: All tumours were removed under multimodal cranial nerve monitoring using AEP, trigeminal and facial EMG. The caudal cranial nerves were monitored if the tumour extended to the IX, X, XI, or XIIth nerve. Clinical investigation and serial MRI-scans were used to follow up patients. Serial clinical and radiological follow ups were used to investigate radiological behaviour of residual tumour and its clinical consequences. Operational reports were reviewed for reasons of subtotal removal. Results: Strong adherence to cranial nerves (acoustic, facial or caudal), interfascicular growth pattern, drop of EMG or spontaneous firing, reduction of AEP and strong adherence to the brain stem or its vascular supply forced the surgeons to terminate the procedure. Average tumour size in case of incomplete resection was 26.8 mm vs.19.4 mm in complete resection cases. 86% of residual tumours consisted of residual capsula, a thin tumour layer or interfascicular tumour nests. Tumour decompression or gross total removals were exceptions. After 12 months a good to excellent facial nerve function (House/Brackmann I-II) was achieved in complete resection cases in 88% vs. 75% in incomplete resection cases. 66% (59) of residual tumours were not progressive, 13% (12) had progressive growth without any clinical or operative consequence, 6% (5) had to be re-operated (15%/n=13 lost to follow-up). Mean follow-up of all patiens was 48.1 months (1-134). Conclusions: A low percentage of tumour progression and an even lower rate of re-operations seem to justify a nearly complete resection if the tumour growth pattern or electrophysiological warnings force the surgeons to terminate the procedure in order to preserve neural function and therefore quality of life.

Die mikrochirurgische Transplantation des Radialislappens auf orofaziale Weichgewebsdefekte hat in der rekonstruktiven Chirurgie von heute einen hohen Stellenwert. Der aus der Hebung dieses Lappens resultierende Entnahmedefekt im Bereich des ventralen Unterarms wird häufig mit frei transplantierter Vollhaut verschlossen. Sowohl der ventrale Unterarm, als auch die orofaziale Region, gehören zu den ästhetisch am stärksten exponierten und funktionell besonders beanspruchten Körperpartien des Menschen. Das funktionelle und ästhetische Ergebnis eines hier lokalisierten Eingriffs hat deshalb nicht zu unterschätzende Auswirkungen auf die postoperative Lebensqualität und Zufriedenheit der Patienten. Insofern sind die objektive Nachuntersuchung der Spender- und Empfängerregion des Radialislappens, sowie die Befragung der Patienten nach ihren subjektiven Beschwerden, wichtig für die Bewertung dieser rekonstruktiv-chirurgischen Methode. Zur Überprüfung der Ergebnisse dieses Operationsverfahrens erfolgte im Zeitraum 2007 – 2009 an der Universitätsklinik zu Würzburg eine retrospektive klinische Studie. Anhand der Krankenakten von 50 Patienten wurden die postoperativen Heilungsergebnisse in der Spender- und Empfängerregion des Radialislappens dokumentiert. 30 der 50 Patienten wurden nach einem standardisierten Vorgehen unter funktionellen und ästhetischen Gesichtspunkten, in der Spender- und Empfängerregion des Radialislappens sowie in der Leistengegend als Entnahmeregion der Vollhaut, nachuntersucht und zu ihren Beschwerden und der Einschätzung der Operationsergebnisse befragt. Die Auswertung der postoperativen Heilungsergebnisse anhand der Krankenakten ergab für die Transplantation des Radialislappens eine Erfolgsquote von 96 %, und für den Verschluss des Entnahmedefekts mit einem freien Vollhauttransplantat eine Erfolgsquote von 100 %. Die Nachuntersuchung der Spender- sowie der Empfängerregion des Radialislappens zeigte eine schnell fortschreitende, funktionelle und ästhetische Rehabilitation der operierten Gewebe im postoperativen Heilungsverlauf. Von den Patienten, welche ein Jahr nach der Operation, oder später, untersucht wurden, war die Gefühlsempfindung bereits bei allen Vollhauttransplantaten, und in 91 % der Fälle auch im Bereich des Radialislappens, wieder vorhanden. In der Entnahmeregion des Radialislappens lagen, 12 Monate postoperativ oder später, lediglich noch bei 8 % der Patienten minimale Defizite in der Gelenkbeweglichkeit, und bei 15 % eine geringgradige Minderung der Muskelkraft vor. Auch die Bewertung der Operationsnarben am Unterarm sowie in der Leistengegend fiel tendenziell besser aus, wenn die Operation zum Zeitpunkt der Untersuchung länger zurücklag. Die Patientenzufriedenheit mit dem Operationsergebnis zeigte ebenfalls eine deutliche Besserung über die Zeit. Bezüglich der Ästhetik wurden bereits 1 Jahr nach der Operation keine Beschwerden mehr geäußert, und in funktioneller Hinsicht klagten, 12 Monate postoperativ oder später, in der Spender- wie in der Empfängerregion des Radialislappens lediglich noch ein Sechstel der befragten Patienten. Der Vergleich der Ergebnisse dieser Studie mit denen ähnlicher, in der Fachliteratur veröffentlichter Untersuchungen bestätigte die hohe Zuverlässigkeit des untersuchten Operationsverfahrens hinsichtlich der Wiederherstellung von Funktion und Ästhetik in der Spender-, wie auch in der Empfängerregion des Transplantats. Als Fazit kann die mikrochirurgische Transplantation des Radialislappens zur Rekonstruktion orofazialer Weichgewebsdefekte als ein bewährtes und sehr geeignetes Verfahren weiterhin ebenso empfohlen werden wie die Transplantation freier Vollhaut als eine sichere und standardmäßig angewandte Methode zum Verschluss des Entnahmedefekts im Bereich des ventralen Unterarms. / Free microsurgical transfer of a radial forearm flap is a valuable surgical option for repairing orofacial soft-tissue defects. Harvesting this flap in the ventral forearm region leaves a donor-site defect, which is often being surgically treated via full-thickness skin grafting. Both the ventral forearm and the orofacial region are counted among the most highly exposed and heavily stressed human body parts. Functional and aesthetic outcomes after surgical intervention in these two areas have therefore a not insignificant influence on patients’ postoperative quality of life. Hence, objective follow-up examination of both the donor and recipient site of the radial forearm flap, as well as questioning patients on their subjective complaints, is important for evaluating this reconstructive surgery technique. In order to appraise this treatment procedure, a retrospective cross-sectional clinical study took place between 2007 and 2009 in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic at the University of Würzburg, Germany. Surgical outcomes at both the donor and recipient site of the radial forearm flap were evaluated by reference to the medical records of 50 patients. Donor and recipient site of the radial forearm flap, plus groin area as the full-thickness skin graft donor site, were examined in 30 of the 50 cases from both a functional and aesthetic viewpoint, using a standardised procedure, and additionally questioning the patients on complaints and on assessment of the treatment results. The appraisal of surgical outcomes by means of the patients’ medical records revealed a success rate of 96 % for transferring the radial forearm flap, as well as a success rate of 100 % for closing the radial forearm flap donor-site defect with a full-thickness skin graft. The follow-up examination at each the donor and recipient site of the radial forearm flap showed a rapidly progressing recovery of function and aesthetics during postoperative healing process. In the patients examined a year after surgery or later, all full-thickness skin grafts, as well as 91 % of the radial forearm flaps, had already regained sensation. Concerning the radial forearm flap donor-site morbidity in the patients examined 12 months after surgery or later, there were minimal joint mobility deficits in only 8 % of the cases, while 15 % showed a low-grade muscle strength decrease. Scar assessment score in each the forearm and groin region also tended to be higher, if surgery was performed longer ago. Patients’ contentment with treatment results showed a distinct improvement over the course of time, too. Regarding aesthetics, as early as one year after surgery there were no more complaints, and with respect to function, only a sixth of the patients questioned 12 months after surgery or later, voiced complaints as to each the donor and recipient site of the radial forearm flap. A comparison of these trial outcomes to results already published, confirmed the high reliability of this surgical procedure as to functional and aesthetic recovery at both the donor and recipient site of the radial forearm flap. In conclusion, free microsurgical transfer of a radial forearm flap, as a well-proven and highly suitable procedure of repairing orofacial soft-tissue defects, is further on just as recommended as full-thickness skin grafting, which is a safe and standard surgical option for closing the radial forearm flap donor-site defect in the ventral forearm region.

BACKGROUND: Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms are an uncommon, heterogeneous group of aneurysms with poorer neurological outcomes compared to other intracranial aneurysms. At first, as part A, we conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the safety and efficacy of treatment strategies for PICA-aneurysms. Subsequently, as part B, we performed a multicenter retrospective study to analyze the outcome in a large series of patients treated with contemporary microsurgical and endovascular techniques. METHODS: For the meta-analysis, a systematic search of Medline, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science was done for studies published through November 2015. We included studies that described treatment of PICA-aneurysms with ≥10 patients. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool the following outcomes: complete occlusion, technical success, periprocedural morbidity/mortality, stroke rates, aneurysm recurrence/rebleed, CN-palsies rates, and long-term neurological morbidity/mortality. As the second part, aiming to report the current trends and results in treatment strategies for PICA-aneurysms, records of 94 patients treated for PICA-aneurysms between 2000 and 2015 at 3 large referral neurovascular centers were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: In the meta-analysis, we...

BACKGROUND: Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms are an uncommon, heterogeneous group of aneurysms with poorer neurological outcomes compared to other intracranial aneurysms. At first, as part A, we conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the safety and efficacy of treatment strategies for PICA-aneurysms. Subsequently, as part B, we performed a multicenter retrospective study to analyze the outcome in a large series of patients treated with contemporary microsurgical and endovascular techniques. METHODS: For the meta-analysis, a systematic search of Medline, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science was done for studies published through November 2015. We included studies that described treatment of PICA-aneurysms with ≥10 patients. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool the following outcomes: complete occlusion, technical success, periprocedural morbidity/mortality, stroke rates, aneurysm recurrence/rebleed, CN-palsies rates, and long-term neurological morbidity/mortality. As the second part, aiming to report the current trends and results in treatment strategies for PICA-aneurysms, records of 94 patients treated for PICA-aneurysms between 2000 and 2015 at 3 large referral neurovascular centers were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: In the meta-analysis, we...

No description available.

Introduction: The surgical and endovascular results of the treatment of pial AVM provided at our Neurosurgical centre are presented. These results are supported by neuropsychological outcomes of subgroup of treated patients. Going by these results and by an overview of literary data on the efficacy and complications of each therapeutic modality, the optimal algorithm of indications is presented Cohort of patients: The main series comprises 222 patients aged 9 to 87 years treated in the years 1998 - 2013. The surgical group consists of 85 patients, 55 patients received solely endovascular treatment. Thirty-four patients were consulted and referred directly to the Radiosurgical unit. The remaining 48 were recommended to abide by the strategy of "watch and wait". A subgroup of 66 patients, who underwent treatment of AVM was neuro-psychologically tested at least two years after treatment using a battery of tests constructed specifically for this study. A control group consisted of 10 subjects without any neurological disease. Results: In the surgical group, serious complications were 3.5% at a 96.5% therapeutic efficacy. As for AVM treated with purely endovascular methods, serious procedural complications were seen in 5.5% of patients, with efficacy totalling 36.4%. One observed patient suffered...

Introduction: The surgical and endovascular results of the treatment of pial AVM provided at our Neurosurgical centre are presented. These results are supported by neuropsychological outcomes of subgroup of treated patients. Going by these results and by an overview of literary data on the efficacy and complications of each therapeutic modality, the optimal algorithm of indications is presented Cohort of patients: The main series comprises 222 patients aged 9 to 87 years treated in the years 1998 - 2013. The surgical group consists of 85 patients, 55 patients received solely endovascular treatment. Thirty-four patients were consulted and referred directly to the Radiosurgical unit. The remaining 48 were recommended to abide by the strategy of "watch and wait". A subgroup of 66 patients, who underwent treatment of AVM was neuro-psychologically tested at least two years after treatment using a battery of tests constructed specifically for this study. A control group consisted of 10 subjects without any neurological disease. Results: In the surgical group, serious complications were 3.5% at a 96.5% therapeutic efficacy. As for AVM treated with purely endovascular methods, serious procedural complications were seen in 5.5% of patients, with efficacy totalling 36.4%. One observed patient suffered...