Management of large pituitary adenoma:Transorbital subfrontal approach operations associated with postoperative X-knife therapy / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess the technique and the safety of radical resection for large pituitary adenoma. Methods Unilateral transorbital subfrontal approach operations were employed for treating 14 cases of large or giant pituitary adenomas. Tumors, at least the suprasellar extension of them, were removed as thoroughly as possible in surgery. Then the X-knife was administered for intrasellar residual lesions 1.5～3.5 months after the surgery. Results Total removal of tumors was achieved in 4 patients, while intrasellar residual tumors were found in the remaining 10 patients. No severe complications occurred. Out of the 10 patients with residual tumors, 8 underwent postoperative X-knife therapy, without visual defects or pituitary function failure. Follow-up observations in these 8 patients for 5～26 months (mean,14.8 months) revealed no recurrence. Conclusions Transorbital subfrontal approach surgery which is characterized by simplicity of its performance facilitates the radical resection of tumors and the avoidance of complications. Postoperative X-knife therapy may further control the recurrence of tumors.