Endoscopic pituitary surgery (transsphenoidal)

Overview

Endoscopic surgery is performed through the nose to remove tumors from the pituitary gland and skull base. In this minimally invasive surgery, the surgeon works through the nostrils with a tiny endoscope camera and light to remove tumors with long instruments. Pituitary tumors can cause hormone problems and vision loss. Tumor removal often reverses vision problems and restores normal hormone balance.

What is transsphenoidal pituitary surgery?

Transsphenoidal literally means “through the sphenoid sinus.” It is a surgery performed through the nose and sphenoid sinus to remove pituitary tumors (Fig. 1). Transsphenoidal surgery can be performed with an endoscope, microscope, or both. It is often a team effort between neurosurgeons and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeons.

A traditional microscope technique uses a skin incision under the upper lip and removal of a large portion of the nasal septum so that the surgeon can directly see the sphenoid sinus area.

A minimally invasive technique, called endoscopic endonasal surgery, uses a small incision at the back of the nasal cavity and causes little disruption of the nasal tissues. The ENT surgeon works through the nostrils with a tiny camera and light called an endoscope. In both techniques, bony openings are made in the nasal septum, sphenoid sinus, and sella to reach the pituitary. Once the pituitary is exposed, the neurosurgeon removes the tumor.

Who is a candidate?

You may be a candidate for transsphenoidal surgery if you have a:

• Pituitary adenoma: a tumor that grows from the pituitary gland; may be hormone-secreting or not.
• Craniopharyngioma: a benign tumor that grows from cells near the pituitary stalk; may invade the third ventricle.
• Rathke’s cleft cyst: a benign cyst, or fluid-filled sac, between the anterior and posterior lobes of the pituitary gland.
• Meningioma: a tumor that grows from the meninges (dura), the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
• Chordoma: a malignant bone tumor that grows from the skull base.

If you have a prolactinoma or a small (<10mm) non-secretory tumor, surgery may not be required. These types of tumors respond well to medication or may be observed with periodic MRIs to watch for tumor growth.

Some tumors extend beyond the limits of the transsphenoidal approach. For these tumors, a more extensive craniotomy combined with skull base approaches may be needed.

Who performs the procedure?

A neurosurgeon performs transsphenoidal surgery often as a team with an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) surgeon who has specialized training in endoscopic sinus surgery. A team approach allows comprehensive care of both brain- and sinus-related issues before, during, and after surgery. Ask your surgeons about their training and experience.

What happens before surgery?

You will have an office visit with a neurosurgeon, ENT surgeon, and endocrinologist before surgery. A consult with an ophthalmologist may be necessary if you have vision problems. During the office visit, the surgeon will explain the procedure, its risks and benefits, and answer any questions. Next, you will sign consent forms and complete paperwork to inform the surgeon about your medical history (i.e., allergies, medicines, bleeding history, anesthesia reactions, previous surgeries).

Discuss all medications (prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements) you are taking with your health care provider. Some medications need to be continued or stopped the day of surgery. Presurgical tests (e.g., blood test, electrocardiogram) may need to be done several days before surgery. Consult your primary care physician about stopping certain medications and ensure you are cleared for surgery.

Stop taking all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) and blood thinners (Coumadin, Plavix, aspirin, etc.) 7 days before surgery. Stop using nicotine and drinking alcohol 1 week before and 2 weeks after surgery to avoid bleeding and healing problems.

You may be asked to wash your skin with Hibiclens (CHG) or Dial soap before surgery. It kills bacteria and reduces surgical site infections. (Avoid getting CHG in eyes, ears, nose or genital areas.)

Morning of surgery

• No food, drink, gum or candy.
• Shower using antibacterial soap. Dress in freshly washed, loose-fitting clothing.
• Wear flat-heeled shoes with closed backs.
• If you have instructions to take regular medication the morning of surgery, do so with small sips of water.
• Remove make-up, hairpins, contacts, body piercings, nail polish, etc.
• Leave all valuables and jewelry at home (including wedding bands).
• Bring a list of medications with dosages and the times of day usually taken.
• Bring a list of allergies to medication or foods.

Patients are admitted to the hospital the morning of surgery. The nurse will explain the preoperative process and discuss any questions you may have. An anesthesiologist will talk with you to explain the effects of anesthesia and its risks.

What happens during surgery?

There are 6 steps of the procedure, which generally takes 2 to 3 hours.

Step 1: prepare the patient
You will lie on the operating table and be given general anesthesia. Once you are asleep, your nose is prepped with antibiotic and antiseptic solution.

An image-guidance system may be placed on your head (Fig. 2). This device is like a global positioning system (GPS) and helps the surgeon navigate through the nose using a 3D “map” created from your CT or MRI scans.

Figure 2. An image-guidance system helps the surgeon navigate through the nose. Skull landmarks and infrared cameras correlate the “real patient” to the 3D computer model generated from the patient’s CT or MRI scans. Instruments are detected by the cameras and displayed on the computer as the surgeon removes the tumor.

Step 2: make an incision
The ENT surgeon inserts the endoscope in one nostril and advances it to the back of the nasal cavity. An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a camera. Video from the camera is viewed on a monitor. The surgeon passes long instruments through the nostril while watching the monitor. A small portion of the nasal septum dividing the left and right nostril is removed. Using bone-biting instruments, the front wall of the sphenoid sinus is opened (Fig. 3).

Step 3: open the sella
At the back wall of the sphenoid sinus is the bone overlying the pituitary gland, called the sella. The thin bone of the sella is removed to expose the tough lining of the skull called the dura. The dura is opened to expose the tumor and pituitary gland.

Step 4: remove the tumor
Through a small hole in the sella, the tumor is removed by the neurosurgeon in pieces with long grasping instruments (Fig. 4).

The center of the tumor is cored out, allowing the tumor margins to fall inward so the surgeon can reach it. After all visible tumor is removed, the surgeon advances the endoscope into the sella to look and inspect for hidden tumor. Some tumors grow sideways into the cavernous sinus, a collection of veins. It may be difficult to completely remove this portion of the tumor without causing injury to the nerves and vessels. Any tumor left behind may be treated later with radiation.

At some hospitals, surgery can be performed in a special OR room equipped with an intraoperative MRI scanner. The patient can undergo an MRI during surgery. This gives the surgeon real-time images of the patient’s brain to know exactly how much tumor has been removed before ending the procedure. This technology enables more complete tumor removal and may reduce the need for a second operation [1].

Step 5: obtain fat graft (optional)
After tumor is removed, the surgeon prepares to close the sella opening. If needed, a small (2cm) skin incision is made in the abdomen to obtain a small piece of fat. The fat graft is used to fill the empty space left by the tumor removal. The abdominal incision is closed with sutures.

Step 6: close the sella opening
The hole in the sella floor is replaced with bone graft from the septum (Fig. 5). Synthetic graft material is sometimes used when there is no suitable piece of septum or the patient has had previous surgery. Biologic glue is applied over the graft in the sphenoid sinus. This glue allows healing and prevents leaking of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the brain into the sinus and nasal cavity.

Soft, flexible splints may be placed in the nose along the septum to control bleeding and prevent swelling. The splints also prevent adhesions from forming that may lead to chronic nasal congestion.

What happens after surgery?

After surgery you will be taken to the recovery room, where vital signs are monitored as you awake from anesthesia. Then you'll be transferred to a regular room or the intensive care unit (ICU) for observation and monitoring. You will be encouraged to get out of bed as soon as you are able (sitting in a chair, walking).

After surgery you may experience nasal congestion, nausea, and headache. Medication can control these symptoms. An endocrinologist may see you the day after surgery to check that the pituitary gland is producing appropriate levels of hormones. If it is not, hormone-replacement medications may be given. An MRI of the brain will be obtained the day after surgery. In 1 to 2 days, you'll be released from the hospital and given discharge instructions.

Follow the surgeon’s home care instructions for 2 weeks after surgery or until your follow-up appointment. In general, you can expect:

Restrictions

• Don’t blow your nose. If you must cough or sneeze, do so with your mouth open.
• Don’t use straws, strain using the toilet, or bend over at the waist until your follow-up.
• If you have sleep apnea, don’t use your CPAP until your surgeon says it’s OK.
• Don’t smoke or use nicotine products: vape, dip, or chew. It may delay healing.
• Don’t lift anything heavier than 5 pounds.
• Don’t drive, return to work, or fly air travel until your surgeon says it’s OK.

Incision care

• Nasal drainage is expected and usually yellow or blood tinged with a mucous consistency. Drainage should lessen and stop within 1-2 weeks. You may dab at a runny nose.
• Nasal crusts and congestion are normal for several weeks to months after surgery. It will diminish over time. You may lose your sense of smell for several weeks.
• You may be given two sprays for the nose: a decongestant and a salt water spray.
• You may shower the day after surgery.
• Don’t submerge your head or belly incision in water (bath, pool or tub).
• If you had a belly or thigh incision to obtain a fat graft, it will be covered with Dermabond skin glue. Leave it open to the air with no bandage. Gently wash the area with soap and water. Pat dry. Don’t apply lotion/ointment on incision.

Medications

• Headaches are common after surgery. You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol).
• Take pain medicine as prescribed. Reduce the amount and frequency as your pain subsides. If you don’t need the pain medicine, don’t take it.
• Narcotics can cause constipation. Drink lots of water and eat high-fiber foods. Stool softeners and laxatives can help move the bowels. Colace, Senokot, Dulcolax, and Miralax are over-the-counter options.
• Don’t strain during bowel movements. It creates pressure and may put you at risk for a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.
• A medicine may be prescribed to regulate hormone levels. Follow your doctor’s instructions closely and don’t miss a dose.
• Don’t take anti-inflammatory pain relievers (Advil, Aleve) without surgeon’s approval.

Activity

• Get up and walk 5-10 minutes every 3-4 hours. Gradually increase walking, as you are able.
• Monitor the amount of fluid you drink and your urine output each day. In general, these amounts should be equal. If they are not, call your doctor.

When to call your doctor

• Clear fluid dripping from your nose or down your throat that has a metallic taste. This may be a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Call right away and avoid strenuous activity.
• Loss of vision or worsening problems such as blurry or double vision, loss of peripheral vision.
• Nose bleeding that does not stop.
• Excessive thirst or urination.
• Fever over 101.5° (unrelieved by Tylenol).
• Increased drowsiness, confusion, nausea, vomiting or headache.
• Signs of incision infection.
• Rash or itching at the incision.
• Swelling and tenderness in the calf of one leg.
• Seizure

Recovery and prevention

An appointment for a follow-up visit with your ENT surgeon is typically scheduled 1 week after surgery to remove any nasal splints and to check the surgical site. The ENT will see you as needed until the nasal cavities are healed. Typically, this requires 2 to 4 visits.

Small crusts often form in the nose that can cause nasal congestion. The ENT surgeon will spray the nose to provide local anesthesia to the nasal cavities. Crusts can then be removed comfortably. Four weeks after surgery, the patient will be instructed to use a nasal saline rinse. The rinse will decrease the need to remove crusts and hasten nasal healing.

An appointment for a follow-up visit with your neurosurgeon will be scheduled for 2 to 4 weeks after surgery. An endocrine follow-up may be recommended to determine if hormone replacement medications are needed.

What are the results?

If the tumor is hormone secreting (prolactinoma, Cushing’s, or acromegaly), the endocrinologist will follow your hormone levels after surgery to determine whether you are cured.

Patients with Cushing’s disease usually have small tumors (microadenomas) and are surgically cured about 90% of the time [2]. Patients with acromegaly often have larger, more invasive tumors. The success rate is about 60% with growth-hormone secreting macroadenomas [2].

Some pituitary tumors remain surgically incurable due to invasion of the cavernous sinuses and other important structures. Radiosurgery can be used to treat unresectable tumor remnants with very good long-term control rates (Fig. 6). If there is residual tumor after surgery for acromegaly, Cushing’s disease, or prolactinomas, medical treatments are available to control the excess hormone secretion.

Since it is impossible to predict whether or when a tumor may recur, periodic monitoring with MRI scans is needed to watch for changes or regrowth.

What are the risks?

No surgery is without risks. General complications of any surgery include bleeding, infection, blood clots, and reactions to anesthesia. Specific complications related to pituitary surgery include:

• vision loss: the optic chiasm can be damaged during surgery. If vision problems were present before surgery, decompression may not restore normal visual function. The nerve may have been permanently damaged by the tumor.
• damage to normal pituitary gland: can occur 5 to 10% of the time for macroadenomas. Hormone replacement may be required after surgery, such as cortisol, thyroid hormone, growth hormone, estrogen, or testosterone.
• diabetes insipidus (DI): caused by damage to the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. DI leads to frequent urination and excessive thirst, because the kidneys inadequately concentrate the urine. This effect is usually temporary, lasting 1 to 3 days. DI can be controlled with medication called desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) in nasal spray or pill form. Permanent DI is rare and controlled with medication.  
• cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak: the fluid surrounding the brain can escape through a hole in the dura lining the skull. In 1% of transsphenoidal cases, a clear watery discharge from the nose, postnasal drip, or excessive swallowing occurs; may require surgery to patch the leak.
• meningitis: an infection of the meninges often caused by CSF leak.
• sinus congestion: small adhesions can stick together and form scars that block air flow through the nose.
• nasal deformity: caused by bone removal or adhesions; may be corrected by surgery.
• nasal bleeding: continued bleeding from the nose after surgery occurs in less than 1% of patients. May require surgery to correct.
• stroke: the carotid arteries and cavernous sinuses located on either side of the pituitary may be damaged during surgery causing an interruption of blood supply to the brain.

Sources & links

If you have more questions, please contact the Mayfield Clinic at 800-325-7787 or 513-221-1100.

Links
Pituitary.org
BrainTumor.org
ABTA.org

Sources

1. Bohinski RB, et al. Intraoperative MRI to determine the extent of resection of pituitary macroadenomas during transsphenoidal microsurgery. Neurosurgery 49:1133-43, 2001
2. Fatemi N, et al. Pituitary hormonal loss and recovery after transsphenoidal adenoma removal. Neurosurgery 63:709-19, 2008
3. Zimmer LA, Shah O, Theodosopoulos PV. Short-Term Quality-of-Life Changes after Endoscopic Pituitary Surgery Rated with SNOT-22. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 75(4):288-92, 2014

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updated > 1.2021
reviewed by > Vince DiNapoli, MD, PhD, Mayfield Clinic, Cincinnati, Ohio
Lee Zimmer, MD, PhD, The Jewish Hospital - Mercy Health