Endoscopic Endonasal Excision of Pituitary Tumors Using a Mono-nostril Technique

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness and advantage of endoscopic mono-nostril approach to the pituitary tumors.
Materials and Methods: We analyzed 70 patients undergoing transsphenoidal mono-nostril excision of pituitary tumors from September, 2016 to March, 2018.
Results: We operated 70 patients, out of which 51 were males and 19 were females; the age of the patients ranged from 15 years to 65 years.In our study, out of 70 patients, 61 (87.1%) patients had excellent results with total tumor resection, marked visual improvement, early discharge on the second post-operative day, resuming their daily activities within two weeks and recurrence free interval of 1 year. Nine (12.8%) of our patients had a partial excision of the tumor, whereby there was improvement of headaches in all of them while visual status remained at the pre-operative status. Five (7.1%) of our patients had a post-operative cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea, 4 (5.7%) in total excision group and 1 (1.4%) in partial excision group. These patients of CSF leak were retained in hospital and their mean stay in hospital was 12 ? 4. 
Conclusion: We consider that endoscopic mono-nostril excision of the pituitary tumor is a relatively safer, effective, minimally invasive procedure; whereby there is a fast recovery, early discharge and good cosmetic results.