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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Easy sellar reconstruction in endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery with polyester-silicone dural substitute
P Cappabianca1, L M Cavallo, G Mariniello
1Department of Neurosurgery, Federico II University of Naples, Italy. cappabia@unina.it
Objective:
To describe a simple method of sellar reconstruction after endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery that will allow rapid watertight closure of the sellar floor.
Methods:
A bent sheet of a polyester-silicone dural substitute, fashioned for this purpose with scissors, is introduced into the sella after removal of the lesion. Because of the consistency of the sheet, it opens spontaneously and becomes stuck. Autologous fat tissue or gelatin foam is positioned thereafter, followed by another layer of the dural substitute; a film of fibrin glue completes the sealing.
Results:
Fifteen patients underwent this method and no postoperative cerebrospinal leak or other complication was experienced.
Conclusion:
This easy method of sellar reconstruction represents an effective and fast possibility to perform the final step of the endoscopic transsphenoidal procedure, which otherwise may cause maneuverability problems in the limited space of one nostril.
