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Endoscopic sphenoidotomy approach to the sella
C B Heilman1, W A Shucart, E E Rebeiz
1Department of Neurosurgery, Tufts New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Objective:
Advances in optics, miniaturization, and endoscopic instrumentation have revolutionized surgery in the past decade. We report our experience with the endoscope in nine patients with sellar lesions who underwent an endoscopic sphenoidotomy approach to the sella.
Methods:
An endoscopic transnasal cavity sphenoidotomy approach without a septal dissection was used in the resection of pituitary adenomas and other sellar lesions.
Results:
This approach provided excellent exposure of the sella and adequate working space. The technique produces less postoperative pain and, in some cases, shortens hospital stay. The sphenoidotomy approach eliminates the problems of lip numbness, septal perforations, and oronasal fistulas.
Conclusion:
The endoscopic sphenoidotomy approach has become our preferred approach to sellar lesions.