Complications of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery

Objective To discuss the prevention and treatment of the complications in endoscopic transsphenoidal surgeries. Method From January 2009 to August 2010,259 patients received endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery were analyzed. Results The complications in hospital were intraoperative massive hemorrhage(0. 8% ) in 2 cases,postoperative intracranial hematoma(0. 8% ) in 2,CSF leak(2. 3% ) in 6,pituitary hypofunction(3. 1% ) in 8,diabetes insipidus( 1.5% ) in 4,electrolyte disturbance( 1.5% ) in 4,epistaxis ( 1.2% ) in 3 ,oculomotor nerve palsy(0. 4% ) in 1 and meningitis(0. 4% ) in 1. After a follow - up of 204 patients for 3 - 18 months ( average 7. 3 months ), 5 patient were recurrent ( 1. 9% ), 1 epistaxis (0.4%) ,2 anosmia(0. 8% ), 1 adhesion of nasal cavity (0. 4% ) and 2 pituitary hypofunction (0. 8% ).Conclusions Endonasal transsphenoidal approach tends to present mainly fewer damage than traditional style. But we must be aware of the complications, and the prevention and treatment need more clinical experience and multi -disciplinary knowledge. Key words: Endoscopes; Transspenoidal; Surgical procedures,operative; Complications