A more varied selection of approaches to the inner auditory meatus and pontocere- bellar angle gives the patient a better chance of postoperative morbidity not only as regards early postoperative complications but also from the aspect of the function of the facial nerve and preservation of hearing. The authors analyzed a group of 136 operated unilateral schwannomas, incl. 131 operated from a retrosigmoid approach, three from a translabyrinthine approach and two via the middle cranial fossa. The middle cranial fossa approach is the most considerate surgical method. It can be used only in small intracanalicular schwannomas, further selection depending on ENG, BERA and NMR findings. The translabyrinthine and retrosigmoid approach is usually selected in an attempt to preserve acceptable hearing, the translabyrinthine approach could be used preferentially where hearing cannot be preserved. This procedure has as a rule smaller postoperative complications than the retrosigmoid approach.v

        Key words: vestibular schwannoma, route of approach, extirpation.