Objective: Analyse technical aspects, effectiveness and morbidity of the endoscopic endonasal transphenoidal approach for pituitary adenomas.
Method: From January 2005 to September 2008, 30 consecutive patients underwent endoscopic endonasal resection of pituitary adenomas with a follow up from 3 to 36 months. Their medical charts were retrospectively analysed.
Results: There were 18 women and 12 men, mean age 44 years (range 17-65 yr). Among the 30 patients, 23 had macroadenomas and 7 microadenomas. Twelve patients had non-functioning tumors, 9 had ACTH-secreting tumors, 8 had GH-secreting tumors and 1 prolactinoma. Complete resection and hormonal control was achieved in all microadenomas. Macroadenomas were completely removed in 6 patients, subtotal resection in 6 and partial resection in 11. Three patients had diabetes insipidus and 5 had CSF leaks treated with lumbar drainage.
Conclusion: The endonasal endoscopic approach for pituitary tumors is effective and has low morbidity.