Abstract
The number of lesions of the skull base currently resected via endoscopic, endonasal,
transphenoidal approach has increased. We have successfully treated 63 consecutive
patients with pituitary lesions using this technique in combination with BrainLAB
reference headband and laser surface scanning (BrainLAB®, Heimstetten, Germany) for surgical navigation. This technique affords several advantages
over neuronavigation based on adhesive-mounted fiducial registration. Rigid fixation
in a Mayfield clamp is not required, which allows for flexibility with respect to
positioning of the head during the procedure. This is particularly important, as extension
and flexion of the head provide greater exposure to the clivus and anterior skull
base, respectively. Also, we demonstrate that this technique is safe, easy-to-use,
and faster compared with other ones.
Keywords
pituitary surgery - endoscopic surgery - headband - neuronavigation