Endoscopic Endonasal Transseptal Transsphenoidal Hypophysectomy

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the endoscopic endonasal transseptal transsphenoidal approach for hypophysectomy. Material and Methods: Eleven patients with pituitary tumours were operated upon by endoscopic endonasal transseptal transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. All the patients were subjected to full endocrine and ophthalmologic evaluation. Preoperative CT scan together with preoperative and postoperative MRI of the sellar region and sphenoid sinus were performed. Results: Six patients were females and 5 were males. The mean age ± SD was 35.2±7.6. Seven patients had macroadenomas, 2 had apoplexy and 2 had microadenomas. Five of the macroadenomas were non-secreting and 2 were prolactinomas. The two microadenomas were prolactinoma and Cushing s syndrome. The tumour was successfully resected in all patients. One patient had CSF leak 10 days postoperative and was repaired. Recurrence occurred in one patient. Conclusion: The endoscopic endonasal transseptal transsphenoidal approach for hypophysectomy was found effective with excellent success and low incidence of complications.