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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for biochemically and clinically non-functioning adenohypophyseal tumours in the
Boon Leong Quah1, Andrew Edwards-Bailey1, Kanna Gnanalingham1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
Purpose:
To assess and compare outcome of surgical management of non-functioning pituitary adenohypophyseal tumours in patients under 65-years, and 65-years and older at tertiary neurosurgical referral centre.
Methods:
Data was retrospectively analysed from pituitary database. Forty-four patients aged 65 or older (Group 1) and 93 patients under 65 (Group 2) underwent endoscopic trans-sphenoidal surgery (ETSS) between January 2017 and July 2019. The surgical, endocrinological, ophthalmological and radiological outcomes were compared.
Results:
6.8% of Group 1 patients had peri-operative surgical complications compared to 12.9% in Group 2 (p = 0.29). Improved visual fields and acuity were seen in 65.2% and 82.8% of Group 1 and Group 2 respectively (p = 0.124), although there were pre-existing ocular problems in 15.9% of Group 1. New hormone deficiencies were observed in 31.8% of Group 1 patients, and 24.7% of Group 2 (p = 0.555). Tumour regrowth/recurrence was seen in 2.3% of Group 1 (p = 0.553). The rate of repeat surgery was 6.8% in the Group 1 and 12.9% in Group 2 (p = 0.28). There was no significant relationship between extent of resection, complications or hormonal deficiency. The mean duration of follow-up was 10.5 ± 13.0 months for Group 1 patients and 13.0 ± 16.0 months for Group 2 patients (p = 0.526).
Conclusions:
ETSS for non-functioning pituitary adenohypophyseal tumours is safe and well tolerated in the patients aged 65 and older. Advanced age by itself should not be a contra-indication for ETSS. It is however highly recommended that the care of such patients to be offered at a high volume, dedicated pituitary surgical units.
