Microsurgical treatment of sellar tumor by subfrontal transsphenoidal approach

Objective To report microsurgical experience with 20 cases of sellar tumors resected by subfrontal transsphenoidal approach, establish a surgical method and evaluate its benefit and harm. Methods After performing a frontal craniotomy, suprasellar part of the lesion was resected via subfrontal approach, and then the bone planum of sphenoidale, tuberculum sellae and anterior sellar wall were removed by microdrill. After that, the tumor within the intrasellar and/or in the sphenoid sinus was exposed and excised.Results Total resection was achieved in 18 cases, subtotal in 2 cases. After operation there were 3 cases with CSF leak, but no intracranial infection occurred and no patient died in this group. Conclusion This approach is very appropriate remove the tumor located intrasellar and suprasellar at one stage, especially to the tumor invaded sphenoid sinus and accompanied with prefixed optic chiasm. It is worth to be paid more attention and employ widely.