Resection of Giant Pituitary Adenomas by Endoscope-assisted Surgery through Transnasal and Transsphenoidal Approach

Objectives To summarize the experience in the resecting giant pituitary adenomas by endoscope-assisted surgery through transnasal and transsphenoidal approach and to explore its merits,demerits,indication,contraindication and complication.Methods The sphenoid sinus and sellar basis were transnasally opened,and the tumors were removed under the nasal endoscope in11patients with giant pituitary adenomas.Results The grossly total excision was achieved in11cases,and death or severe complications did not occurred.The vision and visual field were observably improved in11patients.Conclusions It is a simple,safe and effective method to remove the pituitary adenomas via the transnasal and transsphenoidal approach by endoscope-assisted surgery.The transnasal and transsphenoidal approach is suitable for resection of pituitary adenomas in the patients whose sphenoidal sinus developed well.