The supine position for transsphenoidal surgery

The supine position has been routinely used for transphenoidal microsurgery in our department since 1973. We had 404 patients, 387 of whom had pituitary microor macroadenomas. It is always satisfactory, allowing a very good control of intraoperative arterial pressure and prevention of air embolism. It is also comfortable for both surgeons.     

Nasal complication after transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary pathologies

Summary A retrospective study was performed to investigate the frequency of nasal complications following sublabial transseptal transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary pathologies. 42 patients were examined. It was noted that more than 50% developed iatrogenic sequelae. It was concluded that a team of neurosurgeons and rhinologists should be established, combining their skills and techniques, to reduce the incidence of iatrogenic sequelae.Supported from the research board of North Jutlands' County Council District.     

Endoscopy assisted transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma

Summary Inspired by an experience with endoscopie paranasal sinus surgery, an endoscope was applied in transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. This endoscopic transsphenoidal technique has been used in 45 cases of pituitary adenomas. Using a 4 mm rigid endoscope, the pituitary adenoma is removed through a nostril. A zero-degree endoscope is used for micro-adenomas. A combination of a 0-degree endoscope and a 30-degree endoscope is used for macro-adenomas that have extended to the suprasellar region. Although it is early in our experience with a small number of patients, the short-term surgical results have been encouraging with patients' short hospital stay and minimum morbidity. The endoscopic technique that has evolved with our experience is described with two cases of pituitary adenomas.     

Ring curettes for transsphenoidal pituitary operations

A set of blunt-ring curettes has been designed for transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. The bluntness of the curette edges and the ring shape have the advantage of reducing the likelihood of inadvertent vascular or neural injury or unexpected perforation of the arachnoid membrane, dura mater, walls of the cavernous sinus, or capsule of the tumor. The curettes have small circular loops on the dissecting tip in three different diameters: 3, 5, and 9 mm. They are used in nearly all the stages of transsphenoidal operations, from opening the sella turcica and exploring the gland to the final steps of removing large and small tumors and hypophysectomy.     

经单鼻孔蝶窦入路显微手术切除垂体腺瘤

目的探讨经单鼻孔蝶窦入路显微手术切除垂体腺瘤的手术方法。方法回顾性分析46例垂体腺瘤患者的临床资料,均采用经单鼻孔蝶窦入路显微手术切除肿瘤。术前行高分辨率CT鞍区薄层扫描及MRI检查,充分了解蝶窦的气化程度、蝶窦分隔和鞍底隆突的解剖学特点。结果44例术中依靠蝶窦相关解剖标志,准确定位蝶窦及鞍底,2例出现偏差。肿瘤全切33例,大部分切除9例,部分切除3例,1例因海绵间窦出血终止手术,无手术死亡。术后一过性尿崩症12例,予药物治疗3～7d后好转 脑脊液漏4例,2例保守治疗治愈,1例予腰大池置管引流后治愈,1例再次经蝶入路修补鞍底后治愈。46例平均随访8个月（3个月～2年）,3例复发。结论单鼻孔蝶窦入路显微手术切除垂体腺瘤是一种安全有效的微侵袭手术方法 熟悉相关解剖标志,准确定位是手术成功的关键。     

DDAVP use in patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas

Summary Background. Disorders of fluid and sodium regulation, often termed “diabetes insipidus,” are a frequent occurrence following surgery for pituitary adenomas. The present study was undertaken to identify the incidence of diabetes insipidus after pituitary surgery and its associated factors. Methods. A retrospective review of the medical records 300 patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma was undertaken. Information regarding patient gender, perioperative serum sodium levels and urinary output volumes, tumor size, previous pituitary surgery, tumor subtype, and the use of DDAVP was gathered. A multivariate statistical analysis was performed. Findings. Follow-up data were available on 288 patients. During the inpatient postoperative hospital stay, DDAVP was administered to 19% of all patients and 16% of patients not taking DDAVP preoperatively. Of patients with normal fluid/sodium regulation preoperatively, DDAVP was prescribed for 9% at discharge and 4% at 6 weeks postoperatively. Only 1.4% of patients were taking vasopressing replacement at the time of last follow-up. Significant correlations were found between gender, previous surgery, serum sodium levels, and urine volumes at various time points. Immunohistochemical type of tumor and tumor size were not related to DDAVP requirement. Conclusions. Transient hypotonic polyuria is frequently encountered after pituitary surgery. However, only a small number of patients will develop a long-term requiring for ongoing medical treatment. Previous surgery, female gender, and elevated serum sodium and urine volumes in perioperative period were associated with DDAVP requirement.     

Retraction system for transsphenoidal surgery. Technical note

A retraction system has been developed for transsphenoidal surgery to use together with a conventional self-retaining speculum. The system comprises an attachment to the speculum, a self-retaining retractor, and a slim tapered brain spatula and pronged hook. The spatula or hook is secured with the self-retaining retractor and the attachment. The retractor can also be fixed to the Sugita multipurpose head frame. The system may be used to retract the bulging diaphragma sellae and tumor tissues, and to stop bleeding from the dural venous sinus or tumor bed, so the surgeon can continue the procedure with both hands.     

Development of the operating computerized tomographic scanner system for neurosurgery

Summary A computerized tomographic (CT) scanner system for intraoperative imaging is presented. The system consists of the following: 1) CT scanner with a mobile gantry, 2) digitally controlled operating table with central processing unit (CPU) and encoder unit; the table can be controlled by the scanner computer as accurately as the scanner bed, and 3) exclusively designed head fixation devices. It allows us to scan the patient on the operating table in the operating room pre-operatively, intra-operatively and immediately after surgery.     

Modification of a nasal speculum for transsphenoidal surgery. Technical note

The authors modified a Hardy nasal speculum to improve the access to surgical fields and the handling of various instruments during transsphenoidal surgery. A section of the inferior edge of the speculum was cut out 2 cm from its orifice on both sides. The thickness of the tip of the speculum was also reduced. The authors are prepared to operate using a variety of speculum lengths (the distance between the tip and the cutting level), and this length is selected depending on the distance between the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus and the surface of the gingiva in the individual patient. A modified nasal speculum was used in transsphenoidal surgery for a pituitary adenoma. With use of this device, the protrusion of the speculum above the gingiva was markedly decreased. Because most instruments are inserted into the inferior portion of the speculum orifice, this approach facilitated the handling of all surgical instruments through the modified nasal speculum. The actual surgical field became shallow and wide, and the long surgical instruments that are generally used for transsphenoidal surgery were unnecessary in most cases.     

Endoscope-assisted microsurgery for invasive endo- and suprasellar pituitary macroadenomas: a consecutive retrospective study with 13 patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Surgery of invasive endo- and suprasellar pituitary macroadenomas remains difficult. The records of 13 consecutive patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery were analyzed in order to evaluate advantages and limitations of endoscopy for surgery of invasive pituitary macroadenomas. METHODS: A transseptal transsphenoidal intersepto-columellar approach was performed with a nasal 0-degree endoscope. Removal of the macroadenoma was performed under the control of a microscope. When the tumor seemed to be completely removed with microscope, a rigid 30-degree endoscope was inserted in the intrasellar and suprasellar regions in order to detect residual adenoma tissue. These residues were removed when technically possible. RESULTS: No rhinologic complication was noted. In 7 patients, the intra- and suprasellar endoscopic view detected a tumor residue which could be removed in each case. Two cases of cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred during the complementary tumor resection. Two cases of diabetes insipidus and two of rhinorrhea were reported postoperatively. The analysis of the postoperative MRIs showed a complete removal in 23% of the patients (3/13), 75 to 100% removal in 54% of the patients (7/13), 50 to 75% removal in 8% of the patients (1/13) and 50% removal in 15% of the patients (2/13). More than 75% removal was thus achieved in 77% of the patients (10/13). The mean follow-up was 27.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: Rhinologic morbidity was reduced with the endoscopic endonasal approach. Endoscopy complemented with a microscope offered an optimal view of the intra- and suprasellar regions. Endoscopy also improved tumor resection of the invasive endo- and suprasellar pituitary macroadenomas by visualizing hidden suprasellar tumor residues. However, endoscopy was associated with a higher rate of postoperative rhinorrhea.     

Rhinological complications of sublabial transseptal transsphenoidal surgery for sellar and suprasellar lesions: prevention and management

Transseptal transsphenoidal surgery is the most widely accepted operative procedure for sellar and suprasellar lesions. About 35% out of fifty-four cases operated by this procedure at our centre had rhinological complications. Possible mechanism involved and their prevention and management is discussed herewith.     

A new,miniature ultrasonic surgical aspirator with a handpiece designed for transsphenoidal surgery. Technical note

The authors describe an innovative surgical instrument designed to remove hard fibrous masses from the pituitary region, which cannot be completely removed using standard transsphenoidal surgical procedures. The innovative features of the instrument include a miniature ultrasonic surgical aspirator and an extra-long bayonet handpiece with a 1.9-mm-diameter translucent tip. Intraoperative use of this refined device may increase the effectiveness of the removal of fibrous lesions within a narrow operative field, while also preserving surgical safety.     

小骨窗显微手术切除大型桥小脑角肿瘤及神经功能保护

目的探讨大型（直径≥3cm）桥小脑角肿瘤的小骨窗显微手术切除方法及神经功能保护。方法回顾性分析经乙状窦后入路小骨窗显微手术切除的32例大型桥小脑角肿瘤患者的临床资料,肿瘤全切除28例（87．5％）,次全切除4例（12．5％）。结果本组无手术死亡病例。面神经解剖保留率为93．8％（30／32）,面神经功能（House—BrackmannI、Ⅱ级）保留率为78．1％（25／32）,听神经解剖保留率为87．5％（28／32）,听力保留率68．8％（22／32）。结论采用乙状窦后入路小骨窗显微手术切除大型桥小脑角肿瘤是一种安全、有效的手术方法,在保留神经功能完整性的前提下应尽量切除肿瘤。     

A Modified Combined Transseptal/Transnasal Binostril Approach for Pituitary Lesions in Patients with a Narrow Nasal Space: Technical Note

We describe a modification of the combined transseptal/transnasal binostril approach using a two-surgeon, four-handed technique (modified Stamm''s approach) for pituitary lesions in patients with narrow nasal spaces. This approach comprises of a transseptal route through one nostril and a transnasal route without harvesting a pedicled nasoseptal flap (NSF) through the other. On the transseptal side, the nasal septum was removed using an endoscopic septoplasty technique. On the transnasal side, the mucosa containing the septal branch of the sphenopalatine artery over the face of the sphenoid and nasal septum was preserved for harvesting the NSF if an intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak was encountered. This approach was performed in six patients with pituitary lesions, including four nonfunctioning macroadenomas, one growth hormone-producing macroadenoma, and one Rathke''s cleft cyst, all of which were associated with a severe deviation of the nasal septum and/or narrow nasal space. The meticulous and comfortable manipulation of an endoscope and instruments were achieved in all six patients without surgical complications. Our findings, although obtained in a limited number of cases, suggest that the modified Stamm''s approach may be useful for selected patients, particularly those with a severe deviation of the nasal septum, without considerable damage to the nasal passages.