Otolaryngology Considerations of Pituitary Surgery: What an Endocrinologist Should Know

Abstract

Endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery (EESBS) is the preferred surgical approach for the management of pituitary adenomas. Perioperative management of pituitary lesions requires multidisciplinary care, and typically includes a dual surgeon team consisting of a neurosurgeon and an otolaryngologist. The involvement of the otolaryngologist allows for a safe surgical approach with excellent intraoperative visualization of the tumor to enable an effective resection of the tumor by the neurosurgeon. Detection and treatment of sinonasal pathology is essential prior to surgery. Patients may experience sinonasal complaints following endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery, although this is typically temporary. Sinonasal care in the postoperative period can expedite recovery to baseline. Here, we discuss the perioperative factors of endoscopic pituitary surgery that endocrinologists should be aware of, ranging from preoperative patient selection and optimization to postoperative care, with a particular emphasis on anatomic and surgical factors.