Evaluation of Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Resection of Pituitary Tumor

The pituitary tumors are neoplasms of frequent occurrence, and the indication of treatment of these tumors depends on their volume and secretions produced. For some time, the surgical technique consisted of a transcranial approach with major complications and currently tumor resection may be performed by a direct-vision transanally endoscopically. In Brazil, the number of studies on the endonasal endoscopic technique for the removal of pituitary tumors are rare, hence the importance of conducting a national study that can confirm this information, allowing patients to access the latest advances in medicine. A total of 26 charts were reviewed and 19 patients included in the study. Most patients (14 patients, 74%) had nonsecreting tumor, and they were all macroadenomas. Out of these 19 patients, 10 (53%) had tumor compression of the optic chiasm, and in 3 (15.7%) patients, tumors were invasive. The removal of tumors with total excision occurred in 13 (68.4%) having recurrence in 2 (15.3%) of these patients. Of the 19 patients, complications occurred in 7 (36.8%) patients in the immediate postoperative period and in another 7 (36.8%) patients in the late-postoperative period, these being. The length of ICU stay averaged 1.1 days and ward stay averaged 2.47 days. Subtotal removal in 3 (50%) patients had indication of adjuvant treatment with stereotactic radiotherapy and only one made it. It is concluded that the majority of pituitary tumors, even those with sellar and suprasellar extensions, can be treated endoscopically, which is minimally invasive, causes less morbidity, and is considered safe and effective by scientific studies.