Endoscopic, endonasal, trans-sphenoidal hypophysectomy: retrospective analysis of 171 procedures.

Introduction: Endoscopic, transnasal management of pituitary gland neoplasms is a widely accepted alternative to the traditional microscopic approach. This study aimed to determine outcomes and complication rates for the largest UK series of endoscopic, trans-sphenoidal hypophysectomies reported to date.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 136 primary resections and 35 revision cases performed at a tertiary referral centre.

Management of intra-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak following endoscopic trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery.

Objective: Cerebrospinal fluid leakage is the most common complication of endoscopic trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery. However, there is no uniformly accepted way of managing this complication when it occurs intra-operatively. This paper describes a quick, simple technique, involving layered fibrin glue and gelatin sponge, which does not compromise post-operative patient follow up.

Novel method of closing a tracheo-oesophageal fistula using a de-epithelialized deltopectoral flap.

The authors describe a novel use of a de-epithelialized deltopectoral flap for the closure of tracheo-oesophageal fistulae, which have been resistant to other methods of closure.

The efficacy of topical anaesthesia in flexible nasendoscopy: a double-blind randomised controlled trial.

The routine use of topical anaesthesia during flexible nasendoscopy has been questioned, and the degree to which topical vasoconstrictors can affect patient discomfort has yet to be elucidated. Patients' experiences with Lignocaineand phenylephrine, Lignocaine alone, xylometazoline and no preparation were compared. One hundred patients were recruited in this double-blind, randomised control trial and put into these four groups.