Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The transsphenoidal approach. A historical perspective.

Adam S Kanter1, Aaron S Dumont, Ashok R Asthagiri

  • 1Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA. ask9z@virginia.edu

Neurosurgical Focus
|April 23, 2005
PubMed
Summary

The transsphenoidal approach evolved into a primary treatment for sellar lesions over a century. This historical overview highlights key innovations and neurosurgeons who preserved this vital skull base surgical corridor.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Colchicine as an Adjunctive Therapy to Improve Ischemic Stroke Reperfusion Outcomes in Mice.

CNS neuroscience & therapeutics·2026
Same author

The enigmatic occipital emissary vein, foramina, and canals: anatomical study with application to skull base surgery.

Neurosurgical review·2026
Same author

The foramen of Magendie: a comprehensive review of its history, anatomy, pathology, and surgical approaches.

Anatomy & cell biology·2026
Same author

New Insights Into the Anconeus Epitrochlearis Muscle and Its Relationship to the Ulnar Nerve: Anatomical Study.

Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same author

Comprehensive review of the cerebral aqueduct: anatomy, embryology, imaging, genetics, molecular, and pathology.

Anatomy & cell biology·2026
Same author

Osborne's ligament: Anatomical study with application to better understanding ulnar nerve compression at the elbow.

Neurosurgical review·2026

Area of Science:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Skull Base Surgery
  • Endoscopic Surgery

Background:

  • The transsphenoidal approach has a complex history, facing skepticism and near abandonment.
  • Its resurgence in the late 1960s was driven by advancements in medical and surgical techniques.
  • A deeper understanding of pituitary pathophysiology also contributed to its revival.

Observation:

  • Visionary neurosurgeons persevered through periods of low popularity for the transsphenoidal procedure.
  • This dedication preserved a critical surgical corridor for accessing skull base lesions.
  • The technique has undergone numerous modifications and refinements over nearly a century.

Findings:

  • The transsphenoidal approach is now the first-line treatment for sellar lesions.

Related Experiment Videos

  • It is also used for select parasellar and suprasellar lesions.
  • Current transsphenoidal procedures are the result of cumulative innovations and surgical evolution.

    • Implications:

    • The historical evolution underscores the importance of perseverance in surgical innovation.
    • Understanding this history provides context for current best practices in neurosurgery.
    • Continued refinement of the transsphenoidal approach enhances treatment options for complex brain conditions.