Surgical pearls

Abstract

While endoscopic surgery is largely replacing microsurgery, many of the principles of trans-sphenoidal surgery are common to both techniques. For the novice surgeon there are many potential pitfalls that can, however, be avoided by attention to detail and careful planning. This article provides a practical overview from one surgeon's extensive experience.

Key words:

• pituitary adenoma
• post operative complications
• surgical planning
• trans-sphenoidal surgery

Notes

The educational section of the British Journal of Neurosurgery aims to provide continuing professional education for practicing neurosurgeons, and neurosurgeons in training with short succinct review articles, brief overviews of seminal papers, surgical pearls, and a quiz section. Each edition of the journal will have a theme to the educational section, rotating through all neurosurgical subspecialties. Authors are invited to submit online or are welcome to contact the educational section editors for more information.