Endoscopic surgery in the skull base unit: experience in the first 72 cases

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Otolaryngology
• Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery

Background:

• Endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery requires a multidisciplinary team for optimal development and expanded indications.
• This study presents the experience of a center in treating skull base lesions using an endonasal endoscopic approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the center's experience with endonasal endoscopic surgery for skull base lesions.
• To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of this approach in a diverse patient group.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 72 patients treated between January 2008 and January 2012.
• Utilized various endonasal endoscopic approaches including transsphenoidal, transmaxillary, and expanded endonasal techniques.
• Procedures included Draf IIb/III and ethmoidal/sphenoidal approaches.

Main Results:

• Common pathologies included pituitary adenomas (36), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks (10), and inverted papillomas (5).
• Total resection rates for pituitary adenomas were 61%, with 86% successful repair for CSF leaks.
• Complications occurred in 29% of patients, with 6 major complications.

Conclusions:

• Multidisciplinary collaboration is crucial for success in endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery.
• The study highlights the center's experience and the effectiveness of the endonasal endoscopic approach for skull base pathologies.