Endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal pituitary surgery

Objective To summarize the surgical experience of endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal pituitary surgery and discuss its advantages. Methods 187 cases were performed with transnasal transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. The whole process of the surgery was finished under the neuroendoscope. Results CSF leak occurred postoperatively in 5 cases, intracranial infection occurred in 2 cases, serious nasal bleeding occurred in 1 case 17 days after operation. All patients had been followed-up for 3 to 35 months. Judged according to the postoperative MRI, the tumors were removed totally in 133 cases, subtotally in 32 cases, partially in 20 and biopsy in 2 of 187 cases. Conclusion The approach of endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery has the advantages in resecting pituitary adenoma: simple surgical process, shorter operation time, minimal invasion, good field of vision during surgery, faster comeback and less postoperative complication. It is a good method in resecting pituitary adenomas.