[Extended transsphenoidal operation for giant and invasive pituitary adenomas].

Objective: To evaluate the possibility of extended transsphenoidal approach for removing the giant and invasive pituitary adenomas.

Methods: The clinical data of 64 cases with giant and invasive pituitary adenoma treated by extended transsphenoidal approach were studied retrospectively.

Results: Among 64 patients, 51 had total resection and 13 had subtotal resection. 26 patients occurred transient diabetes insipidus, 5 patients with transient cerebrospinal rhinorrhoea and 1 patient occurred acute hypopituitarism postoperatively. There were no death or intracranial infection. After operation, 8 patients get radiotherapy, 6 patients receive medicine treatment. Postoperative follow-up period was 3 months to 6 years. No regrowth or recurrence was seen.

Conclusion: The extended transsphenoidal approach has been proved to a safe and effective method to remove the giant and invasive pituitary adenomas. Patients who got subtotal resection need be close followed-up and receive radiotherapy or medicine treatment it necessary.