[Extended transsphenoidal operation for giant and invasive pituitary adenomas].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the possibility of extended transsphenoidal approach for removing the giant and invasive pituitary adenomas.

METHODS

The clinical data of 64 cases with giant and invasive pituitary adenoma treated by extended transsphenoidal approach were studied retrospectively.

RESULTS

Among 64 patients, 51 had total resection and 13 had subtotal resection. 26 patients occurred transient diabetes insipidus, 5 patients with transient cerebrospinal rhinorrhoea and 1 patient occurred acute hypopituitarism postoperatively. There were no death or intracranial infection. After operation, 8 patients get radiotherapy, 6 patients receive medicine treatment. Postoperative follow-up period was 3 months to 6 years. No regrowth or recurrence was seen.

CONCLUSION

The extended transsphenoidal approach has been proved to a safe and effective method to remove the giant and invasive pituitary adenomas. Patients who got subtotal resection need be close followed-up and receive radiotherapy or medicine treatment it necessary.