AIM To determine the feasibility, advantages, and disadvantages of using a robot for holding and maneuvering the endoscope in transnasal transsphenoidal surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS The system used in this study was a Stewart Platform based robotic system that was developed by Kocaeli University Department of Mechatronics Engineering for positioning and holding of endoscope. After the first ...

OBJECTIVE Advances in imaging resolution have resulted in superior visualization of intracranial anatomy. Because of the inherent complexity of the surgical exposure of these lesions, intraoperative localizing techniques are required. Currently, C-arm fluoroscopy provides only two-dimensional localization for these anatomic structures. The recently described ACUSTAR I system, developed in conju...

Recently, the endonasal transsphenoidal approach has been widely used as the standard technique for pituitary surgery instead of the sublabial approach. However, using this approach involves potential conflicts between surgical instruments when entering the nostril and while working inside even with an endoscope. In patients with small nostril, it requires an additional tension release incision...

OBJECTIVE Endoscopic transsphenoidal approach has become the gold standard for surgical treatment of treating pituitary adenomas or other lesions in that area. Opening of bony skull base has been performed with burrs, chisels, and hammers or standard instruments like punches and circular top knives. The creation of primary bone flaps-as in external craniotomies-is difficult.The piezoelectric os...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Since the introduction of an endonasal endoscopic approach in transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, reports of perioperative olfactory changes have presented conflicting results. We examined the incidence of olfactory loss in cases of endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery with skull base repair using the nasoseptal flap (NSF) and the effects of monopolar electrocautery...

BACKGROUND Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery has gradually come to be regarded as a preferred option in the treatment of pituitary adenomas because of its advantages of improved visualization and its minimal invasiveness. The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the outcomes and complications of endoscopic and microscopic transsphenoidal surgery in the treatment of pituitary adenomas....

A retrospective review was performed on 11 patients who had undergone the transcolumellar transsphenoidal hypophysectomy in our center. There were eight females and three males with age ranging from 17 to 72 years (mean 50 years). Ten patients had pituitary macroadenomas and one had suprasellar cyst. The mean follow up duration for these 11 patients post surgery was 7.2 months. Complications in...

Both microscopic and endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery are effective approaches for nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. The issue on the comparison of their efficacy and safety remains inconsistent. A thorough search of the literatures (PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE) were performed up to March 2017. Studies reporting outcomes of microscopic or endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery on nonfunctioning pitu...

BACKGROUND The purpose of this prospective, observational study was to evaluate the management of skull base chordomas surgically resected via a 3D-endoscopic transnasal approach. METHODS Thirteen consecutive patients were observed and only 9 were surgically treated using a 3D-endoscopic transnasal approach assisted by a novel 3D visualization system. RESULTS Nine consecutive male patients ...