Intraoperative lumbar drainage can prevent cerebrospinal fluid leakage during transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Perioperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is a major complication of pituitary adenomas transsphenoidal surgery. Lumbar drainage (LD) is a common method of treating CSF leakage. But whether intraoperative LD can prevent CSF leakage during the perioperative period of pituitary adenomas transsphenoidal surgery remains controversial. Clarity on the appropriate use of LD is needed.

A systematic literature review was conducted in the PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of science databases. Articles were included when they compared intraoperative LD with intraoperative no-LD CSF leakage rates during pituitary adenomas transsphenoidal surgery.

Overall, 5 studies containing 678 cases met the inclusion criteria. When data were provided on intraoperative CSF leakage rates, the meta-analysis showed a significant difference in favor of intraoperative LD. When data were provided on postoperative CSF leakage rates, the meta-analysis also demonstrated a significant difference in favor of intraoperative LD.

Although the results of this meta-analysis suggest intraoperative LD can reduce the risk of CSF leakage during the perioperative period of pituitary adenomas transsphenoidal surgery, the available evidence is indefinite. To some extent the results suggest intraoperative LD's potential positive role. Further studies that include well-designed prospective, randomized controlled clinical trials are necessary for further verification.