Treatment of complicated tumors in sellar area with microsurgical techniques: report of 106 cases

Objective To investigate the methods of treating complicated tumors located in sellar area with microsurgical techniques. Methods The experience on the treatment of 106 patients with complicated tumors in sellar area with microsurgical techniques was analyzed. The operations were performed by a modified transpterional approach, and tumors were removed from spaces in sellar area with microsurgical techniques. Results Among 73 pituitary adenomas, 22 craniopharyngiomas and 11 sellar meningiomas, 59, 18 and 9 were totally removed, respectively. And the others were subtotally removed. All the patients were sober after operation. Functional deficits of optic nerves and oculomotor nerves appeared in 6 and 2 patients respectively. Conclusion This modified transpterional approach is very suitable to remove complicated sellar tumors. Mastering the microsurgical techinques and acquaintanc with the anatomy spaces in sellar area, which can be perfectly utilized intraoperatively, and are the keys to remove complicated tumors in sellar area.