Long-Term Quality of Life after Endoscopic Pituitary Adenoma Surgery with Nasoseptal Flap Reconstruction

Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (EETS) on the pituitary gland is considered safe and efficacious. The nasoseptal flap (NSF) is sometimes used to prevent or repair postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. Few investigators have quantified long-term quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes regarding sinonasal measures after EETS, with or without involvement of the NSF. This study assesses whether the septal flap affects sinonasal QOL outcomes for patients receiving EETS for pituitary adenoma.

This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent EETS between 2013 and 2018. A total of 62 adults completed the Sinonasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) at least one year after the surgery. Outcome measures were compared between patients who underwent EETS with and without septal flap reconstruction.

For the entire cohort, there were 14 patients (22.6%) who had septal flap reconstruction and 48 patients (77.4%) who did not. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical outcomes, and duration between surgery and completion of the questionnaire were similar for both groups. The mean SNOT-22 scores in the no reconstruction (NR) group and the nasoseptal flap reconstruction (NSFR) group were similar (P=0.9). In terms of SNOT-22 subdomains (rhinologic symptoms, extranasal rhinologic symptoms, ear/facial symptoms, psychological dysfunction, and sleep dysfunction), no significant differences were found when comparing the groups.

As compared with no reconstructive involvement, NSF utilization does not affect the QOL and nasal symptoms of patients undergoing EETS.