| Sumario: | BACKGROUND: Language function is susceptible to the effects of brain tumours during both the tumour growth phase and during neurosurgical resection. AIM: This paper aimed to systematically review existing literature to determine the current status of knowledge about language outcomes following neurosurgery. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted involving a detailed literature search using online databases, quality assessment of relevant articles and data extraction. RESULTS: Of the 1449 articles retrieved, nine articles satisfied the study criteria. Overall, these studies reported variable patterns of language function post-surgery, however, there was a trend towards an early post-surgical decline in language function that greatly improved by 3 months. The likelihood of developing post-surgical communication impairments was influenced by a number of factors including pre-operative aphasia and the identification of sub-cortical language tracts inside the tumour margin, however, further research is required to fully elucidate pertinent predictors. CONCLUSION: These findings have implications for rehabilitation programs following brain tumour surgery and suggest that there are a number of key gaps warranting further investigation.
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