The sellar barrier and intraoperative CSF leak in elderly patients.

Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leak is a significant complication in pituitary surgery, increasing both patient morbidity and mortality. In a recent publication, Campero et al. observed worse postoperative prognosis and increased risk of intraoperative CSF leak in patients with reduced sellar barrier thickness. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between sellar barrier thickness and intraoperative CSF leak in older individuals. A retrospective review was conducted of 44 transsphenoidal surgery resections for pituitary adenomas, 24 microscopic and 20 purely endoscopic procedures. Presence of intraoperative CSF fistula was significantly greater in patients with weak sellar barrier (thickness under 1 mm), compared to strong sellar barrier (52.94% vs 3.70% p < 0.0001, respectively). Application of this novel concept may help improve surgical technique selection as well as predict risk of intraoperative CSF leak and need for eventual use of flaps for reconstruction.

[Placement of ventricle peritoneal shunt in the adult patient. A new protocol]. / Implante de shunt ventrículo peritoneal en el paciente adulto. Un nuevo protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Ventriculoperitoneal shunting is considered a relatively straightforward procedure, though it might ensure multiple complications. Our surgical team developed and implemented a new protocol since June 2016. The objective of this paper is to describe and illustrate the surgical technique step by step and to demonstrate that the use of the "new protocol" significantly reduces the complications associated with the procedure. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study of 184 patients related with cerebrospinal fluid derivation systems from June 2014 to November 2017. One hundred and fourteen patients complied with the inclusion criteria. They were divided into two groups according to the protocol involved, previous (n = 59) and new (n = 55). The technique was described by photographic archive and surgical protocols. RESULTS: The technique consisting in seven phases was described. With the used of the new protocol the complications decreased significantly. After the new protocol, no ventriculoperitoneal shunt associated infections were observed. CONCLUSION: The technique for ventriculoperitoneal shunt consisting in seven phases was described thoroughly. This technique as well as a series of rules constitutes the new protocol. The implementation of the latter lessened the number of complications associated with the procedure. The "zero infection" rate is not a utopia.