Resumen
Vestibular schwannomas can significantly affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients pre- and postoperatively. The impact of sex on symptom- and disease-specific aspects (i.e., facial function, hearing, tinnitus, vertigo) of quality of life has not been adequately investigated. The present study analyzed the sex-specific quality of life by surveying 260 vestibular schwannoma patients pre- and postoperatively. The results demonstrated that women were significantly more affected by dizziness, headaches, anxiety, and postoperative facial palsy. However, despite the greater physical impairment, general health improved equivalently or even more in female patients than in males postoperatively. These sex differences should be considered when counseling and managing patients.