The Nasal Gateway for Pituitary Surgery

Abstract

There has been an evolution in the transseptal transsphenoidal approach for pituitary surgery. The nasal approach to the pituitary gland can be from the sublabial transseptal transsphenoidal; the transseptal transsphenoidal; the alotomy transseptal transsphenoidal; the external rhinoplasty transsphenoidal; the transnasal by mobilizing the whole nose on a pedicle; the transseptal infranasal; the midline columellar incision; all types of nasofacial incisions; and transethmoidal approach with nasal instrumentation. The transsphenoidal hypophysectomy surgery has become a safe and effective approach for pituitary tumors. We are mainly concerned with the transnasal and not the transethmoidal approach to the sella turcica at this time.