Abstract
BackgroundBinostril endoscopic transsphenoidal approach (BETA) provides sufficient manipulation space and wide endoscopic vision, although it increases the trauma of nose. Mononostril endoscopic transsphenoidal approach (META) has minimal trauma of nose, at the expense of space within the operation. We describe a one-and-a-half nostril endoscopic transsphenoidal approach (OETA) that combines the advantages of BETA and META.MethodsWe introduced OETA for pituitary adenomas with a detailed technical description. A retrospective analysis was also performed on 57 consecutive patients who underwent one-and-a-half nostril endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery between March 2014 and June 2015 at Jinling hospital.ResultsThe gross total resection rate was 79%. The gross complete resection rate of Knosp grade 3 tumors were 63.6, and 27.3% in grade 4 tumors. Postoperative hormone remission was achieved in 14 out of 18 (77.8%) patients with secreting adenomas. Postoperative abnormal visual function improvement was achieved in 23 out of 32 patients (73%) with preoperative visual dysfunction. The overall intra-operative CSF leak was 17.5%, with the postoperative CSF leak decreased to 3.5% after the sellar reconstruction with the unilateral “rescue” nasoseptal flap procedure. The main sinonasal complaints 2 weeks after surgery were: loss of sense of smell (28%), decrease in sense of taste (4%), trouble breathing during the day (18%), thick nasal discharge (36%), post nasal discharge (8%), dried nasal material (6%), and headache (6%). Three months after surgery, there were no reports of decrease of taste, post nasal discharge, or dried nasal material. Other complaints were decreased significantly. Six months after surgery, the main complaints of sinonasal quality of life were negligible, and overall health status was near complete recovery to preoperative status.ConclusionsThe one-and-a-half nostril endoscopic transsphenoidal approach for pituitary adenomas is a simple and reliable technique. It provides not only a sufficient surgical corridor for a 2-surgeon/4 or 3-hands technique, but also ensures minimal invasion of the nasal canal.
Highlights
Binostril endoscopic transsphenoidal approach (BETA) provides sufficient manipulation space and wide endoscopic vision, it increases the trauma of nose
We describe a one-and-a-half nostril endoscopic transsphenoidal approach (OETA) that combines the advantages of BETA and Mononostril endoscopic transsphenoidal approach (META)
We retrospectively reviewed all patients that underwent the one-and-a-half nostril endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma surgery at Jinling hospital, performed by a senior neurosurgeon (CY M) from March 2014 to June 2015
Summary
Binostril endoscopic transsphenoidal approach (BETA) provides sufficient manipulation space and wide endoscopic vision, it increases the trauma of nose. Over the past several decades, the endonasalendoscopic transsphenoidal approach (ETSS) has gradually become the preferred surgical option for most pituitary adenomas [1, 2]. The binostril approach with a 2-surgeon/4- or 3-hands technique can provide a sufficient manipulation space and a wider endoscopic vision, which helps to avoid interference between instruments [10]. Many cases reported better results using the mononostril approach [13, 14] This technique spares one nostril from dissection, avoiding large resection and tissue manipulation. The presence of the nasal septum medially and the prominences of the nasal turbinates prevent surgical instruments from being angled toward the ipsilateral parasellar region [15]
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