Risks and Benefits of Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery for Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas in Patients of the Ninth Decade.

Background: The population older than 80 years of age (very elderly) is increasing, and the management of these patients with pituitary surgery is controversial.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of pituitary tumors in elderly patients and to determine the safety of endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery for nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas in patients aged older than 80 years.

Methods: This retrospective study included elderly (65-75 years old) and very elderly consecutive patients operated between 2007 and 2015 for nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas.