TRANS-ORONASAL TRANSSPHENOIDAL APPROACH IN REMOVAL OF THE PITUITARY ADENOMA

The results of trans-oronasal transsphenoidal microsurgical excision of 22 cases （15 men and 7 women） of pituitary adenomas are presented. In this series, 7 were nonsecreting and 15 produced a hypersecretion syndrome, growth hormone in 13, and prolactin in 2. The technical aspects of the transsphenoidal procedure for microadenomas and large tumors were discussed separately. There was no death; but various postoperative complications occurred. The authors conclude that transsphenoidal microsurgery is currently the operative procedure of choice for the majority of pituitary adenomas.