A Comparison between Endoscopic Trans-sphenoidal Surgery and Traditional Trans-sphenoidal Microsurgery for Functioning Pituitary Adenomas

This retrospective study reviewed and compared the efficacy and safety outcomes following trans-sphenoidal endoscopy or microsurgery approaches in patients with functioning pituitary adenomas: 68 patients underwent endoscopic trans-sphenoidal resections and 59 patients had microsurgical resections. Tumours were classified according to diameter and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Overall disease control rates were 70.6% following endoscopy and 49.2% following microsurgery. The most obvious between-group difference was observed in macroadenomas: disease control rates were 63.9% following endoscopy and 27.3% following microsurgery. Cerebrospinal fluid leaks, diabetes insipidus and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion were observed postoperatively in both groups. The complication rate was lower following endoscopy compared with microsurgery (this difference was not statistically significant). Trans-sphenoidal endoscopy resection achieved good results in pituitary tumours, particularly for the complete removal of macroadenomas, and was an effective alternative to microsurgery.