Short-term complications associated with endoscopic transnaso - sphenoidal approach for pituitary adenoma surgery

Objective To evaluate the short -term complications related to the endoscopic transnaso - sphenoidal approach for pituitary adenoma surgery. Method A retrospective analysis was conducted in 114 patients with pituitary adenomas who underwent endoscopic transnaso - sphenoidal approach surgery between September 2007 and August 2008 in the first affiliated hospital of Xinjiang medical college. The short - term (within 60 days after operation) complications were recorded. The potential causes of complications were studied. Results The numbers of patients of gross total,subtotal and partial removal of tumors were 89,11 and 14 respectively. The short - term complications were found in 28 patients. Four patients suffered from 4 kinds of complications simultaneously. There were 8 patients with 3 kinds of complications. 13 patients harbored 2 kinds of complications. And 3 patients only had one complication. Conclusions Complications of endoscopic transnaso -sphenoidal approach procedure is related not only to the characteristic of tumor,but also to surgical skills and special instruments. Surgeon need a long learning -curve to master the technique. Key words: Endoscope;  Transsphenoidal approach;  Pituitary neoplasms;  Complication