Abstract

Introduction Vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a benign tumor of the vestibulocochlear nerve, often causing hearing loss, balance disturbances, and psychosocial challenges. While surgical resection is standard, the long-term biopsychosocial impact of surgery is poorly understood.

Research question What are the physical, psychological, and social challenges experienced by patients up to five years after VS surgery?

Material and Methods A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured video call interviews with 12 patients recruited via a patient advocacy group. Interviews explored postoperative experiences across physical, psychological, and social domains. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic content analysis with a coding system developed deductively and refined inductively. Data saturation was reached after 12 interviews.

Results Participants reported diverse physical symptoms, including hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, pain, fatigue, and facial nerve palsy. Psychological challenges included anxiety, depression, cognitive difficulties, and reduced stress tolerance. Social changes encompassed strained relationships, withdrawal from work and leisure activities, and limited social participation. Physical, psychological, and social challenges interacted dynamically, with emotional distress amplifying social isolation and healthcare provider support influencing coping and adaptation.

Discussion and Conclusion VS surgery has a multifaceted, long-term impact on patients’ lives. The interplay of physical, psycho-logical, and social challenges underscores the need for holistic, multidisciplinary care, early patient education, and integration of supportive interventions. Engagement from healthcare providers plays a key role in mitigating distress and facilitating adaptation. These findings highlight the importance of addressing biopsychosocial aspects to improve long-term recovery and health-related quality of life in VS patients.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funding Statement

This study did not receive any funding

Author Declarations

I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.

Yes

The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

Ethics committee/IRB LPEK of Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf gave ethical approval for this work

I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.

Yes

I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).

Yes

I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable.

Yes

Data Availability

All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors

AbbreviationsVSVestibular SchwannomahrQoLhealth-related Quality of LifeVANVereinigung Akustikus Neurinom e.V. (patient advocacy group)ITInterviewee (used to anonymize participants in quotes)IDParticipant identifier (used in quotes, e.g., ID1, ID2)KoosKoos Classification (tumor size grading system)COREQonsolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research