Endoscopic endonasal hemisphenoidotomy for resection of pituitary lesions confined to the sella: report of 3 cases and technical note.

The authors report use of a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure, unilateral endonasal hemisphenoidotomy, for removal of lesions contained in the sella. The entire procedure was performed through a single nostril with the use of an endoscope. A unilateral endonasal hemisphenoidotomy (1.5 cm x 1.5 cm) was performed and was sufficient to expose the sellar floor for successful removal of adenomas confined to the sella in three patients. Neither outfracturing the midline septum nor exposure of the opposite sphenoid ostium was necessary for adequate visualization, tumor exposure, or instrument maneuverability. There was, however, a learning curve required in order to become facile and efficient with the equipment. All lesions were completely resected. When compared to a bilateral endoscopic endonasal sphenoidotomy as practiced by us, the operative time was reduced and the length of stay was 1-2 days. There was less operative trauma, patients appeared to experience less pain immediately postoperatively, and their satisfaction was very high. In conclusion, for resection of this group of intrasellar tumors, the hemisphenoidotomy procedure proved to be less invasive and traumatic, more simple, and faster than the standard bilateral endoscopic sphenoidotomy.

Endoscopic resection of pituitary lesions through the nostril.

The endoscope has been used in paranasal sinus surgery for many years. More recently, cooperation between neurosurgeons and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeons has resulted in an extension of use of the endoscope to resection of lesions in the sella turcica region. The procedure described herein involves insertion of the endoscope and surgical instruments through one nostril to provide improved visualization of the pituitary gland and an economy of perioperative trauma. As compared with the traditional sublabial, transseptal approach, endonasal pituitary tumor resection is more direct, less traumatic, and allows excellent exposure of the tumor. These improvements result in reduced morbidity, shorter length of stay, and greater patient satisfaction.

Improved survival with preoperative chemotherapy followed by resection uncompromised by tumor response for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND: A total of 93 patients were treated with one of two preoperative chemotherapy regimens over a 15-year period. The study supports the importance of strict adherence to guidelines for ablative surgery. METHODS: A single surgeon performed the surgery and evaluated each patient prior to treatment. The extent of the planned operation was documented. RESULTS: The 5-year absolute survival of 88 patients who completed the protocol was estimated at 55%. The 40 cisplatin/5-fluorouracil-treated patients exhibited a significantly better outcome than the 48 cisplatin/bleomycin-treated patients (76% versus 43%, respectively). Comparison of a subset of 37 patients with a matched group from the standard control arm of the Head and Neck Contracts Program demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in overall survival over standard treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that strict adherence to preoperative chemotherapy planning of ablative uncompromised surgery contribute to improved survival. Selective rather than routine postoperative radiotherapy may be advantageous.

Use of intraoperative neuromonitoring to prevent orbital complications in ethmoid sinus surgery.

Orbital injury is one of the most serious complications in sinus surgery. Although these injuries are generally infrequent, there is a considerable increased risk for orbital complications during procedures in which anatomic landmarks are distorted because of the severity of disease or prior surgery. Currently there are no methods to detect early defects in the lamina papyracea or to prevent continued resection until orbital fat or periorbita is seen. Thirteen New Zealand white rabbits were studied by use of a nerve monitor to identify the periorbita and orbital fat in surgically created lamina defects. Evoked potentials were measured at the medial orbit when the lamina papyracea, periorbita, and orbital fat were stimulated at current intensities ranging from 0.25 to 1.00 mA. Stimulation of the lamina at 0.8 and 1.0 mA resulted in response amplitudes that were significantly lower compared with those of periorbita stimulation (means at 1 mA, 38.26 microV vs. 117.85 microV; p < 0.01). Stimulation of the orbital fat also resulted in higher potentials (mean, 59.47 microV) than those of the lamina papyracea (mean, 38.26 microV) but did not reach statistical significance. The statistically significant difference in response amplitudes between the lamina papyracea and the periorbita indicate that intraoperative monitoring may be useful in identifying early lamina defects, which could in turn reduce the risk of orbital injury during sinus surgery.

The role of KTP laser in revision stapedectomy.

In recent years, the safety and efficacy of revision stapedectomy has come under scrutiny. Experienced surgeons report that the results of such surgery are often worse than the results after primary surgery and that the risks of sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo are increased. With the addition of laser technology to revision stapes surgery, the procedure to open the neomembrane over the oval window and gain access to the inner ear can now be performed safely. This allows positive identification of the oval window and assures placement of the prosthesis through the fenestra rather than on an intermediate segment of scar or bone in the region of the footplate. Our studies have shown the laser to be an important tool that enhances the safety and efficacy of revision stapedectomy.