Endoscopic Transnasal Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Transseptal transsphenoidal approach has been used for the surgical removal of pituitary tumor. However, it may have a chance of complications following septal surgery. Recently, endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal approach was attempted with several advantages. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 10 patients who had received endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal pituitary surgery between December, 1994 and August, 1998. We evaluated the effectiveness of this technique by analyzing operative findings, operative techniques, symptoms improvement and complications after surgery. RESULTS: In most cases, tumor were over 10 mm in diameter. Four patients had received previous transseptal transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. This technigre reduced the postoperative morbidity and compli-cations of transseptal approach. Another advantage of this technique was to examine operative site directly in outpatient clinic. CONCLUSION: We may consider that this approach is safe and effective, especially in revision cases after previoustransseptal surgery.