Long-Term Quality of Life Outcomes in Minimally Invasive Pituitary Surgery

Abstract

Background and Methods: Endoscopic endonasal minimally invasive pituitary surgery (MIPS) has proven to be safe and efficacious. Although some data exist on short-term quality of life (QOL) improvement, virtually no data exist on long-term QOL outcomes after MIPS. Our hypothesis is that patients will report no long-term change in sinus disability after undergoing MIPS. In this study we retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent minimally invasive pituitary surgery (MIPS) from 2002–2009. Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI) scores and patient demographics were recorded. Patient responses were stratified as <1 month, <2 months, <6 months, <1 year, or >1 year after surgery. Pre- and postoperative mean RSDI scores and the mean absolute change in RSDI were calculated with 95% confidence intervals.