Objective:It was to assess the main characteristics of patients undergoing pituitary tumor surgery.Method:Eighty-seven patients (44 men; 44.8±13 years old) were included.Results:The main symptoms were visual alterations (87.3%), headache (70.1%), diminished libido (34.4%), galactorrhea (22.9%) and hair loss (19.5%). The axes affected were gonadotropic (72.6%), thyrotropic (48.4%) and corticotropic (38.7%), without significant changes after surgery. The average largest tumor diameter was 3.1 cm before surgery and 1.56 cm after surgery. The most frequent postoperative complications were hydro-electrolyte and acid-base disorders (12%), diabetes insipidus (9%), visual field alterations (9%), liquoric fistula (8%) and nasal obstruction (7%). The patients were affected by more than one complication.Conclusion:Although a decrease in tumor volume was achieved through surgery, hormonal deficiencies persisted in most of the patients and new surgical approaches were necessary for dealing with tumor recurrence or persistence.

Percutaneous ganglion blockade and trigeminal rhizotomy may be promising alternative options for the treatment of severe headache in selected patients with pituitary adenomas.