A nationwide observational study examining whether hospital surgical volume is associated with outcomes after vestibular schwannoma surgery.

Ali, Rahmani, Mehta, Lekovic, Benharash and colleagues analyzed approximately 19,883 patients treated surgically for vestibular schwannoma in the United States between 2013 and 2022.

Hospitals performing at least 10 procedures annually were classified as higher-volume centers. After statistical adjustment, higher-volume hospitals were associated with lower odds of major adverse events, facial paresis, dysphagia and acute cerebrovascular events, as well as a shorter length of stay.

Why it matters

This study adds contemporary evidence to the argument for centralization of complex lateral skull-base surgery in experienced centers. Because the analysis is based on administrative data, it cannot establish causality or fully capture long-term facial nerve and hearing outcomes.

Reference

Ali K, Rahmani J, Mehta D, Lekovic GP, Benharash P, et al.
The Contemporary Association of Hospital Volume with Outcomes of Surgery for Vestibular Schwannoma in the United States.
World Neurosurgery. Published October 9, 2026.
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2026.125395
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