The use of the rigid endoscope in trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery

• Published in: Journal of laryngology and otology 1994-01, Vol.108 (1), p.19-22
• Main Authors: Gamea, A., Fathi, M., El-Guindy, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adenoma; Adenoma - diagnostic imaging; Adenoma - pathology; Adenoma - surgery; Biological and medical sciences; Endoscopy - methods; Humans; Hypophysectomy; Hypophysectomy - methods; Main Articles; Medical sciences; Microsurgery - methods; Pituitary Gland - diagnostic imaging; Pituitary Gland - pathology; Pituitary neoplasms; Pituitary Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Pituitary Neoplasms - pathology; Pituitary Neoplasms - surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of endocrine glands; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; trans-sphenoidal
• ISSN: 0022-2151; 1748-5460
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022215100125721

The use of the rigid endoscope has been evaluated during transsphenoidal microsurgery of 10 pituitary adenomas: three were prolactin-secreting adenomas; five growth hormone (GH)-secreting adenomas; and two without evidence of known endocrine activity. The use of the endoscope allowed close inspection and differentiation between tumour tissue and glandular remains. This resulted in microdissection of the tumour with maximum preservation of pituitary function. The angled view of the telescope helped total gross removal of tumour tissue from the less accessible supra- and para-sella extensions. More cases and a longer period of follow-up are necessary to provide long-term results.