| Objective To discuss the possibility, advantage, disadvantage, indication and clinical value of endoscopic removal of pituitary adenoma by transmononasal sphenoid sinus approach. Methods All 19 patients were determined by means of MRI. Operation were performed through a 4mm rigid zero and thirty degree endoscope. The history of development of the transmononasal transsphenoid sinus approach to the sella, the techniques and indications of endoscopic pituitary surgery were discussed. Results Total resection and subtotal resection of tumor were performed on 14 and 3 patients, respectively. Among 12 patients with prolactinoma, the high preoperative PRL level were decreased to normal values in 11 cases. Recovery of eyesight were in 16 patients one week after operation. The symptoms of all patients were improved significantly. No patients develo[ed a delayed cerebrospinal fluid leak, meningitis, optic nervous injury, internal carotid injury and other complications, except of one case with diabetes insepidus and Conclusion Endoscopic assisted transendonasal transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma resection is a simply, safe and new minimally invasive procedure for removing pituitary adenomas. The improvement of endoscope, surgical instruments and operative techniques will facilitate its clinical application. |
