Introduction. We studied the postoperative status of a series of head and neck schwannomas that were treated during a eight-year period. Nerve injury symptom is a severe problem that occurs in schwannomas postoperative patients. Surgical treatment of the head and neck schwannomas is targeted at complete removal with preserved neurological function. Materials and Methods. This research describes a series of sixty-nine consecutive head and neck schwannomas patients who underwent primary surgical resection in Taichung Veterans General Hospital from January 2003 to December 2010. Twenty-five to forty-five percent of extracranial schwannomas were present in the head and neck region, and there was a female predominance (52%) of head and neck patients. Results. The average age was 48.13 years old when the diagnosis was made. Resolution rate is 43.5% after resection of the schwannomas. Thirteen patients had residual clotted morsels and four patients experienced a recurrence. The extent of resection was classified as follows: total resection, subtotal resection accompanied with Gamma knife radiosurgery, and subtotal resection. No statistical significance was observed in tumor size and survival rate. Subtotal resection accompanied with Gamma knife radiosurgery is the ideal surgical treatment for large or giant vestibular schwannomas. Total resection for small size vestibular schwannomas is the preferred option. Both have better facial nerve function preservation than other treatments for different tumor size, with a significant decrease in the risk of recurrence. Discussion. The treatment with Gamma knife radiosurgery is an excellent option for patients with recurrent or residual intracranial tumors.
