[Transsphenoidal microsurgery for pituitary adenoma: analysis of 3 fatal cases]

To prevent severe postoperative complications and increase the survival rate of patients with pituitary adenoma after transsphenoidal microsurgery, 3 fatal cases were analysed in terms of clinical features and caused of death. They included (1) the too deeply inserted suction apparatus with resultant midbrain damage; (2) bleeding from residual tumor into aphragma sellae and dura mater, entering the subarachnoid, causing spasm of the brain vessels. In order to avoid complication, it is necessary to follow strictly the rules for transsphenoidal microsurgery and improve surgical skills.