Sublabial transseptal approach to pituitary adenomas with special emphasis on rhinological complications.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this presentation is to show that the sublabial transseptal transsphenoidal approach to pituitary adenomas is the least invasive anatomic route with the lowest postoperative complication rates.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: This study was based on a retrospective analysis of 276 patients with a diagnosis of pituitary adenoma who were surgically treated via the sublabial transsphenoidal route.

RESULTS: The overall complication rate of the presented series was 14.8%. The recurrence rate was 14.1%; there were no deaths or intranasal complications in this series. Postoperative rhinological complications, such as septal perforation, synechiae, and mucosal tear which impaired nasal function, occur rarely with this approach compared to other approaches.

CONCLUSION: Besides the technical advantages of this approach, performance of the initial phase of the operation by an otorhinolaryngologic surgeon is the basis of the low intranasal complication rate in our series.