[Modified technique in transsphenoidal operations of pituitary adenomas. Technical note (author's transl)]

High pressure lumbar air insufflation and endoscopical surgical technique and control improve surgical results and widen indications for the transsphenoidal approach to pituitary adenomas. These complementary methods require a sitting position for the patient and an axial approach to the sella turcica. By lumbar high pressure insufflation even very big pituitary adenomas may often be brought into the operation field and make possible a complete extirpation by a transsphenoidal approach. This possibility is increased by an operative technique under endoscopic control, the latter contributing considerably to complete tumour extirpation, especially with endocrine-active tumours.