How serious is pituitary surgery?

Endoscopic pituitary surgery is a safe type of surgery, but all surgical procedures carry some risk for reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, and infection. Risks and complications that may occur with this type of surgery also include: CSF rhinorrhea.

How is Transsphenoidal surgery done?

Transsphenoidal surgery The back wall of the sinus covers the pituitary gland. To do this surgery, the neurosurgeon makes a small incision (cut) along the nasal septum (the cartilage between the 2 sides of the nose) or under the upper lip (above the teeth).

How long does it take to recover from pituitary tumor surgery?

It can take up to 6 weeks to fully recover. The cuts the doctor made (incisions) may be sore for about 5 days after surgery. You may also have numbness and shooting pains near your wound, or swelling and bruising around your eyes. As your wound starts to heal, it may start to itch.

How do they operate on the pituitary gland?

Another type of surgery to remove a pituitary tumor is called a craniotomy. This procedure involves making an incision in the patient’s scalp and removing a piece of bone from the skull. The neurosurgeon can then find and remove the tumor, or as much as the tumor as possible without risk of severe damage to the brain.

What are the complications of transsphenoidal surgery?

The findings of present study conducted on patients undergoing transsphenoidal removal of pituitary adenoma revealed: CSF leak was the commonest postoperative complication. Other common complications noted were DI, prolonged postoperative ventilation, PONV and electrolyte disturbances.

Who performs transsphenoidal surgery?

Transsphenoidal surgery can be performed with an endoscope, microscope, or both. It is often a team effort between neurosurgeons and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeons. Figure 1. A.

How successful is pituitary tumor surgery?

The success rate is about 60% with growth-hormone secreting macroadenomas [2]. Some pituitary tumors remain surgically incurable due to invasion of the cavernous sinuses and other important structures.

Do pituitary tumors grow back after surgery?

Complete removal of a tumor is the desired goal. However, a minority of patients with pituitary tumor will have a recurrence of the tumor. Approximately 16% of patients with a non functioning tumor will have a tumor recurrence within 10 years and 10% require additional treatment (surgery, pituitary radiation).