Pseudocapsular resection in elderly patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma.

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Endocrinology
• Geriatric Medicine

Background:

• Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) is a common treatment for pituitary adenomas.
• The safety and outcomes of TSS in elderly patients require further investigation.
• Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) are the focus of this study.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety of TSS in elderly patients with NFPA.
• To assess the impact of pseudocapsular resection on surgical outcomes in this population.
• To determine the influence of age on perioperative complications and growth hormone deficiency after TSS.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study of 284 patients undergoing initial TSS for NFPA.
• Patients were divided into Elderly (≥70 years) and Younger (<70 years) groups.
• Further categorization into pseudocapsular resection and non-resection groups.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in perioperative complications between elderly and younger groups.
• Pseudocapsular resection did not increase surgical risks.
• Severe growth hormone deficiency (sGHD) improved only in the younger group; older age predicted new sGHD.

Conclusions:

• TSS is safe for elderly patients with NFPA regarding perioperative complications.
• Aging negatively affects postoperative growth hormone secretion.
• Pseudocapsular resection does not compromise safety or hormonal function in elderly patients.