Evaluating the Role of Pre-operative Cerebrospinal Fluid Diversion by Lumbar Drain in Transnasal Transsphenoidal Tumor Surgeries

Background and Aim: The major concerns related to the Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal (EET) surgery for sellar suprasellar tumors include risks of post-operative Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) leak, leading morbidity at times mortality, due severe meningitis. Time is required develop possible preventive measures that can reduce risk CSF rhinorrhea. present study aimed evaluate effects pre-operative diversion by lumbar drainage in EET tumor surgeries on preventing leak its effect length hospital stay. Methods Materials/Patients: We conducted a prospective 20 patients with pituitary underwent between October 2018 December 2019. Preoperative Lumbar Drain (LD) was inserted after induction all explored patients. excised continuous intraoperative drainage. Post-operatively, LD kept 3 days clamped next 24 hours. If no evidence rhinorrhea present, it removed. Complications drainage, stays were evaluated. Results: Our population consisted 13(65%) men 7(35%) women, Mean±SD age 39.8±10.71 years. most commonly presented complaint visual disturbance (60%) least common symptom urinary (5%). intra-operative detected 9(45%) patients, while only 1(5%) patient. blockage significantly contributed (P=0.001). stay period 8.85±3.22 65% having <7 days. Other complications (e.g. diabetes insipidus, electrolyte imbalance, hormonal disturbances) mainly responsible prolonged Conclusion: Pre-operative LD, apart from helping incidence not associated an overall increased