[Surgical treatment for giant pituitary adenomas: the state of visual functions]

Giant pituitary adenomas (more than 60 mm) are a most difficult group of tumors of the pituitary. Surgery is practically the only treatment, visual functions being most vulnerable. The study showed that the procedures for removal of tumors through transsphenoidal approach (improved vision or no negative changes was noted in 78.2% of the patients) or made in 2 steps (a good result was obtained in 64.7%) presented the least risk. The most complete removal of a supracellular tumor portion irrespective of a chosen approach yields a better result than non-radical operations despite its potentially high traumaticity of visual nerves and optic chiasms.