[Transsphenoidal surgery of craniopharyngioma: form palliative surgery to radical removal]

The paper presents basic principles of transsphenoidal craniopharyngioma surgery. Stages of methodology development. Steps of methodology development of such operations in the Institute are described--from palliative interventions to the high-tech modern radical surgery with the use of anterior extended approach. Additional stereotactic irradiation provides reliable control of the disease for a long period. The article mainly describes operative technique and contains preliminary analysis of the surgical results showing effectiveness and safety of endoscopic removal of craniopharyngioma.