Studies on the influence of selective adenomectomy on hormone secretion from normal anterior pituitary gland

In 70 patients with pituitary adenomas combined stimulation tests using releasing factors were performed before and 10 to 20 days after pituitary surgery. Qualitatively, the dynamics of hormone secretion were mostly unaltered after surgery. Quantitatively, the mean amounts of secreted hormones were found lowered after surgery. In some individual patients, however, a postoperative improvement was also observed. Pituitary testing early after surgery proved to be helpful for assessing the definite need for a hormonal replacement therapy.