ABSTRACT
Objective To present our experience with management of craniopharyngiomas by endoscopic endonasal approach Methods A retrospective review of clinical data of 65 patients who were treated for craniopharyngiomas by endoscopic endonasal approach from February 2012 to May 2016. All patients were analyzed by treatment effect, complications, and follow-up result. Results Total removal of the tumors were completed in 52 cases (80.0%), subtotal removal in 11 cases (16.9%), and partial resection in 2 cases (3.1%). The pituitary stalks were identified in 57 cases when surgery, and severed in 41 cases (71.9%). Postoperative visual acuity was improved in 31 cases (47.7%), and 6 cases remained in the preoperative level, whereas worsening occurred in 1 case. Worsening of the anterior pituitary function was reported in 21 cases (32.3%). Transient diabetes insipidus after operation was occurred in 45 patients (69.2%), and long-term diabetes insipidus was occurred in 9 cases (13.8%). Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak was occurred in 4 cases (6.2%), accompanied with intracranial infection, and all these cases were repaired under endoscope again, 3 cases were saved, but 1 case was dead. Perioperative mortality rate was 4.6%. 52 patients were followed up for 4.0 ~ 45.0 (mean, 20.8) months, and 44 patients (84.6%) returned life to normal. Obesity developed in 8 patients (15.4%), with 2 recurrent cases and no deaths during follow-up period. Conclusion The endoscopic endonasal approach is a safe and effective minimally invasive surgery approach for treating craniopharyngiomas, and has its own unique advantage.