Endoscopic endonasal pituitary adenoma surgery: our surgical experience in 116 patients

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of excision in terms of gross and partial resection rates compared to the grades of pituitary adenoma (based on Hardy-Vezina classification). We also evaluated the post-operative complications and the effect of resection on visual outcomes and endocrinological remission.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> We retrospectively analysed 116 patients who underwent surgical resection of pituitary adenoma via endonasal trans-sphenoidal approach at Civil Hospital (Ahmedabad) between March 2013 and March 2019 and collected pre-operative and post-operative data in terms of imaging, endocrine function and vision. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> According to the postoperative imaging data and endocrine examination results, gross-total resection (GTR) was achieved in 79.3% (92 patients), and partial (PR) in 20.6% (24 patients) which was significant (p<0.05). Improvement in vision was seen in 62% (40 patients out of 64 patients). Out of 44 patients having endocrine dysfunction, endocrinological remission was achieved in 32 patients with functional adenomas (72.7%). Sinusitis followed by headache was the most common minor complication seen in the study.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery is a valuable treatment option for patients having grade 3 or lower pituitary adenomas, which leads to gross total resection in comparison to patients having grade 4 adenoma. It also results in high rate of surgical decompression and better visual outcome. Partial resection may result in endocrinological response in functional tumors.</p>