Transsphenoidal surgery with the additional use of the Nd-Yag-laser

100 Patients with pituitary adenomas were operated upon by the transsphenoidal route with additional use of the Nd-Yag-Laser. For this purpose, a suitable microsurgical handpiece has been developed. The energy output used in these operations was 30 W with a coagulation time not exceeding two seconds. Both the selectivity and radicality of the surgical procedure was documented by endocrinological investigation as well as by ophthalmological testing and radiological follow-up using high resolution CT and, more recently, Magnetic Resonance Imaging. When compared with the series of other authors, the selectivity as reflected by testing the anterior lobe functions pre- and postoperatively was not altered by the additional use of the Laser. The Nd-Yag-Laser seems to be a useful device in transsphenoidal surgery due to its potent coagulation effect and comfortable handling. If applied in a correct manner, there is no risk of additional damage to normal pituitary tissue and the surrounding structures. The possibility of coagulating tumour remnants, which cannot be removed by curettage, may increase also the radicality of the procedure.