Functional Outcome of the Facial Nerve After Surgery for Vestibular Schwannoma: Prediction of Acceptable Long-Term Facial Nerve Function Based on Immediate Postoperative Facial Palsy

H-B grade of immediate postoperative facial palsy can predict facial palsy at long-term follow-up. H-B grade 3 immediate postoperative facial palsy is the lowest tolerable grade that guarantees functional improvement on long-term follow-up. Planned facial nerve preservation surgery followed by radiosurgery is thought to be optimal treatment in patients with vestibular schwannoma for both tumor control and facial nerve function.