Abstract
Trans-sphenoidal surgery, which is the most widely used technique for the treatment of pituitary tumors, has continued to evolve by introducing new approaches and technologies, such as the direct endonasal route and the endoscope. The endonasal approach is a minimally invasive route to the sella turcica with the advantages of using a simpler and more rapid nasal dissection and eliminating the nasal and lip complications. Restricted exposure provided by the endonasal approach is overcome by combined use of an endoscope that provides a more panoramic view of the surgical field beyond the area covered by the operating microscope. An operating microscope permits binocular vision and bimanual technique, which are familiar to neurosurgeons. Neurosurgeons should exploit the advantages of both modalities for the benefit of patients. This review describes the advances in trans-sphenoidal surgery focusing on the endoscopic approach.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.