Treatment outcomes of neuroendoscopic and microscopic trans-sphenoidal pituitary adenomectomies and the effects on hormone levels.

BACKGROUND

We aimed to compare the treatment outcomes of neuroendoscopic and microscopic trans-sphenoidal pituitary adenomectomies, as well as the effects on hormone levels and clinical symptoms.

METHODS

A total of 82 patients with pituitary adenomas that were surgically resected from June 2018 to March 2021 were selected and divided into a group receiving neuroendoscopic trans-sphenoidal pituitary adenomectomy (group A, N.=40), and the other group receiving microscopic surgery (group B, N.=42). Surgery-related indices, hormone levels before discharge and alleviation of symptoms 24 weeks after surgery were compared.

RESULTS

Both groups had significantly different degrees of tumor resection (P<0.05). The proportion of cases receiving total adenomectomy in group A significantly exceeded that of group B (P<0.05). The surgical time of group A was significantly longer than that of group B (P<0.05). Group A had significantly shorter mean hospitalization stay than that of group B (P<0.05). The postoperative hormone levels of both groups decreased significantly differently (P<0.05). Before discharge, the hormone recovery rate of group A significantly surpassed that of group B (P<0.05). The hormone levels of cases with prolactinoma, adrenocorticotropic hormone adenoma and growth hormone adenoma in group A dropped more significantly than those of group B did (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with microscopic surgery, neuroendoscopic trans-sphenoidal pituitary adenomectomy worked more effectively, induced fewer postoperative complications and better promoted the postoperative recovery of hormone levels.