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Updated: Apr 7, 2026
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
[Efficacy analysis of endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery for recurrent or regrowing pituitary adenomas]
Objective:
To analyze the safety and efficacy of surgical removal of recurrent or regrowing pituitary adenomas by endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach.
Methods:
The clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 28 patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery for recurrent or regrowing pituitary adenomas between April 2010 and December 2013. There were 9 males and 19 females with a mean age of 44. 2 (11 - 73) years. The maximal tumor diameter ranged from 2. 1 to 6.9 cm. The Knosp grades were 1 -2 (n = 11), 3 (n =8) and 4 (n =9). Fifteen tumors were endocrinically functional and the remainder endocrinically nonfunctional. All operations were performed with an assistance of intraoperative neuronavigation. Neuro-ophthalmological, neuroimaging and endocrinological results were followed up postoperatively. And surgical outcomes and risk factors were analyzed for incomplete tumor resection in previous operations.
Results:
The mean follow-up period was 19. 1 (3 - 45) months. Gross total resection(n = 18, 64. 3%), subtotal resection(n = 6, 21. 4%) and partial resection(n = 4, 14. 3%) were achieved. Postoperatively, visual acuity improved in 11 patients (73. 3%) and 6 patients (40. 0%) showed endocrine remission. Qne patient had short-term postoperative leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Conclusion:
Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery is both safe and effective for recurrent or regrowing pituitary adenomas.
